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TVA boosts spending for small reactors to be built in Tennessee

TVA / An illustration shows what the proposed new GE Hitachi BWRX-3000 small modular reactor would look like if built along the Clinch River near Oak Ridge, Tenn.
TVA / An illustration shows what the proposed new GE Hitachi BWRX-3000 small modular reactor would look like if built along the Clinch River near Oak Ridge, Tenn. TVA / An illustration shows what the proposed new GE Hitachi BWRX-3000 small modular reactor would look like if built along the Clinch River near Oak Ridge, Tenn.

By Dave Flessner 7 min read


FLORENCE, Ala. — The Tennessee Valley Authority is taking another step toward developing the first small modular reactor of its kind on an East Tennessee site where the utility previously abandoned other nuclear technologies.

The TVA board, which allocated $200 million in 2022 toward plans for small modular reactors on the Clinch River near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, voted Thursday to provide another $150 million for continued design work and licensing preparation to build up to three new 300-megawatt light-water reactors designed by GE Hitachi.

“We believe advanced nuclear technologies will play a critical role in our region and nation’s drive toward a clean energy future,” TVA President Jeff Lyash said during the board’s quarterly meeting Thursday. “Small modular reactors are an energy innovation technology that America must dominate for our energy security, which is really our national security.”

Despite questions over the cost and reliability of the new technology, Lyash said the board action “demonstrates TVA’s commitment to continue leading in this effort” to develop America’s first small modular reactor. The extra $150 million “will allow us to take the next steps to finish the standard design” for a BWRX-300 megawatt plant design by GE Hitachi and submit a licensing application next year for the project to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Lyash said.