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20.May

TVA files application for construction of the first BWRX-300 small modular reactor in the United States

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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (May 20, 2025) – Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has officially submitted a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) planned for the Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The filing marks the first construction application for a BWRX-300 reactor project in the United States.

“TVA’s commitment to the standardized BWRX-300 design is helping move this technology closer to commercial deployment, supporting growing electricity demand and strengthening long-term energy security,” said Craig Ranson, President and CEO of GVH. “Combined with Ontario’s recent approval to construct the first SMR in the Western world, this milestone highlights the maturity and momentum behind the BWRX-300 platform.”

TVA has participated in the advancement of the BWRX-300 standard design through a technical collaboration agreement involving Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Synthos Green Energy, and GVH. In parallel, TVA is leading a coalition of utilities and supply chain companies seeking an $800 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate deployment of the nation’s first SMR project.

Global interest in the BWRX-300 technology continues to expand. Earlier in May, the Province of Ontario and OPG approved construction activities for the first BWRX-300 unit at the Darlington nuclear site near Toronto, Canada. Four units are planned for the location, with the first reactor expected to be completed before the end of the decade.

Earlier this year, Duke Energy announced an agreement to support licensing and standardization work related to the BWRX-300 design. American Electric Power (AEP) also selected the technology for potential deployment at the Indiana Michigan Power Rockport Plant in Spencer County, Indiana, contingent upon approval of the DOE funding initiative led by TVA.

The BWRX-300 small modular reactor is designed to provide reliable carbon-free electricity with improved safety features and simplified construction compared to conventional nuclear facilities. Each reactor unit is expected to generate approximately 300 megawatts of electricity — enough to supply power for around 300,000 homes — while aiming to reduce construction complexity and overall project costs.

About GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy

GE Vernova’s nuclear energy business, through its alliance with Hitachi, is a global supplier of nuclear fuel, reactor technologies, and related engineering services. Its portfolio includes boiling water reactors and advanced small modular reactor designs such as the BWRX-300, developed to combine simplified engineering with advanced operational capabilities.

Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), GE Vernova’s nuclear fuel division, is a joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and is a major provider of boiling water reactor fuel and fuel engineering services worldwide. Operations are primarily conducted through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan in Kurihama, Japan.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding future projects, investments, expected business performance, technology deployment, and market conditions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from current expectations. These statements often include terms such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” and similar expressions related to future developments and operational performance.

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