US utilities collaborate to accelerate GE Vernova's BWRX-300 deployment

US utilities collaborate to accelerate GE Vernova's BWRX-300 deployment
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 21, 2025

GE Vernova's nuclear division, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), announced a partnership with a coalition of utility companies and supply chain partners aimed at expediting the deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) in the United States. Spearheaded by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the group has submitted a proposal for $800 million in funding under the U.S. Department of Energy's Generation III+ SMR program.

Key partners include Bechtel, BWX Technologies (BWXT), Duke Energy, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), GEH, Indiana Michigan Power (an AEP company), Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Sargent and Lundy, Scot Forge, other utilities, advanced nuclear project developers, and the State of Tennessee.

"Nuclear power has a key role to play in reaching a cleaner and more secure energy future," said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova. "Funding from this grant would play a critical role in the path forward, and we look forward to working with TVA and this strong team of utility and supply chain partners to accelerate the roll-out of small modular reactors in the United States."

TVA has identified the Clinch River Site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the potential location for deploying the BWRX-300 SMR. Should the DOE funding be approved, TVA intends to expedite the construction timeline by two years, targeting commercial operation of the first unit by 2033.

"Nuclear is the most reliable and efficient energy the world has ever known," said Jeff Lyash, TVA President and CEO. "It is the energy that will have a strong American-based supply chain and power the global economy."

In related developments, GEH revealed that Duke Energy has signed an agreement to support activities advancing the standard design and licensing of the BWRX-300 technology. Meanwhile, American Electric Power (AEP) has chosen the BWRX-300 for potential deployment at the Indiana Michigan Power Rockport Plant in Spencer County, Indiana, contingent on DOE funding approval.

"On the heels of the significant progress that is occurring with the deployment of the first BWRX-300 at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site, these announcements signify the growing confidence the industry has in our SMR technology," said Mavi Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova's Power businesses.

Momentum for the BWRX-300 continues to grow globally. In March 2023, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), TVA, and Synthos Green Energy joined GEH in a technical collaboration agreement to co-fund the design of the BWRX-300, aiming to make it deployable in various regions.

OPG's collaboration with GEH highlights a strategic partnership that combines OPG's extensive experience in nuclear operations with GEH's expertise in boiling water reactor technology. The Darlington site near Toronto is slated to house the first BWRX-300, with site preparation already completed and construction on the initial unit expected to commence later this year. Commercial operations are anticipated to begin by the end of 2029, with plans for a total of four units at the site.

The BWRX-300 represents a 10th-generation nuclear design and a central element of GE Vernova's commitment to the energy transition. Its innovative design focuses on reducing construction and operating costs by utilizing certified nuclear fuel, simplifying plant systems, incorporating proven components, and leveraging a design already certified by the NRC. The reactor also benefits from decades of operational experience with boiling water reactor technology and features a standardized design and delivery model supported by cross-border regulatory collaboration.