TVA Takes Historic Step Towards Nation’s First Small Modular Reactor

September 20, 2025

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has submitted a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for one of the nation’s first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This move marks a significant milestone, potentially paving the way for other utilities to adopt similar advanced nuclear technology. The proposed reactor, a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 design, is slated for the Clinch River site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Key Takeaways

TVA is the first U.S. utility to apply for a construction permit for an SMR.
The application is for GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 design.
The proposed site is TVA’s Clinch River facility near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
TVA has already secured an early site permit for the SMR.
Potential operational start is anticipated around 2032.

A Path for Advanced Nuclear Power

TVA’s application to the NRC signifies a crucial step in bringing the BWRX-300 design to fruition in the United States. The utility has already obtained the nation’s first early site permit for an SMR, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, clearing the environmental review process. The next phase involves a comprehensive safety review by the NRC before construction can commence.

Don Moul, TVA President and CEO, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "This is an exciting step to bringing the nation’s first utility-led SMR online." He highlighted that TVA’s pioneering application will establish a precedent for other utilities seeking to deploy this reactor technology, thereby bolstering energy security and reliable electricity.

Understanding the BWRX-300

The BWRX-300 is described as the only boiling water SMR design currently under development in the U.S. It is a 300-megawatt-electric advanced light water system, representing a more compact and simplified version of GE Vernova Hitachi’s established Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor. This design aims to leverage existing supply chains, potentially accelerating its deployment.

In 2023, TVA joined a global initiative with Ontario Power Generation to fast-track the development of SMR technology for both the U.S. and Canada. Notably, four BWRX-300 reactors are already cleared for construction in Clarington, Ontario, with commercial operation expected by the end of 2029.

Project Timeline and Considerations

TVA anticipates that preliminary site preparation could begin as early as next year, while the NRC conducts its review. The utility estimates that the SMR could be operational by late 2032. Some critics have raised concerns about potential hazards due to political pressure to expedite the permitting process, emphasizing the complexity and uncertainties involved in such reviews.

However, the U.S. Department of Energy remains committed to advancing commercial nuclear power, working to enable the deployment and export of next-generation nuclear systems like SMRs to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy. The project is also seeking federal grant funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Modular Reactor Program.