규제당국이 GE Vernova/Hitachi 소형 모듈식 원자로에 대한 첫 번째 미국 건설 허가를 발급했으며, 이는 데이터 센터를 위한 원자력 전력 도입을 가속화한다.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued its first construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, awarding the license to the Tennessee Valley Authority for a unit proposed at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The permit marks the initial regulatory approval in the United States for the technology developed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH).

"This is a milestone for TVA and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and an important moment for new nuclear in the United States," said Eric Gray, CEO of GE Vernova's Power Segment. "TVA has shown strong leadership in advancing new nuclear, a commitment bolstered by the collaborative efforts of the NRC and Department of Energy. Together, and in alignment with federal Executive Orders aimed at accelerating advanced reactors, we are grateful for this collaboration as we work to support the deployment of the first BWRX-300 in the country."

For years, GVH—which operates a facility at 3901 Castle Hayne Road in Wilmington—has pursued deployment of its BWRX-300 design. Although based on legacy boiling water reactor models, the design uses fewer materials than older reactors and aims to deliver improved cost-efficiency and energy performance.

TVA submitted its construction permit application for Clinch River in April 2025. The NRC's decision followed extensive review of the application and collaborative engagement between TVA, the regulator, and GVH.

The U.S. permit advances the BWRX-300's regulatory progress across North America. In April 2025, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued Ontario Power Generation a License to Construct for the first BWRX-300 at its Darlington New Nuclear Project site. Construction is currently underway there, with completion expected by the end of the decade. OPG submitted its License to Operate application in March, while Blue Energy filed the first part of its NRC construction permit application in September for a BWRX-300 planned for its gas-plus-nuclear project in Texas.

"Fleet deployment is essential to scaling nuclear energy in the United States," said Jason Cooper, CEO of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. "A standard design, combined with a predictable and efficient regulatory environment, allows us to apply common technology, licensing experience, supply chain capabilities and lessons learned from one project to the next. Clinch River brings us another step closer to making that fleet model a reality."