Project Details
Developer
Location
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
Capacity
320 MW-electric
COD
Expected COD: 2032
About This Project
Executive Overview
The Clinch River BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) under development by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) at the 1,200-acre Clinch River Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge, Roane County, Tennessee — adjacent to the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation. TVA submitted its construction permit application to the NRC in April–May 2025; the Environmental Report and Preliminary Safety Analysis Report were both accepted in June–July 2025; the NRC review schedule was established July 2025. The NRC milestone timeline targets a construction permit decision in late 2026 or 2027. Non-nuclear construction could begin as early as January 2026; nuclear construction is targeted for late 2028; commissioning is planned by end of 2032. EPC partners are Bechtel, Sargent & Lundy, and GE Hitachi, using an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model. TVA has applied for up to $800 million in DOE grant funding and is part of a $400 million working group with GE Hitachi, Ontario Power Generation, and Synthos Green Energy to develop a standard BWRX-300 design.
How It Works & Differentiation
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation boiling water reactor based on GE's established BWR technology, with design simplifications targeting approximately 90% plant site footprint reduction and 50% concrete usage reduction per unit of energy compared to conventional nuclear plants. Passive safety systems eliminate reliance on active pumps and power for decay heat removal. The reactor uses standard low-enriched uranium fuel — the same as the existing U.S. fleet of 94 commercial reactors — avoiding HALEU supply chain dependency. Natural circulation drives coolant flow without pumps, reducing operational complexity. Construction is modular, with off-site fabrication of major components enabling parallel manufacturing and on-site assembly. Designed construction time is 24–36 months once nuclear construction begins.
Commercialization & Traction
The BWRX-300 is the most commercially advanced Generation III+ SMR design globally. The first unit is under construction at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington Nuclear site in Ontario, Canada (construction began May 2025, targeted commercial operation end of 2030), providing a live construction reference ahead of Clinch River. The design has progressed through Step 1 of the UK Generic Design Assessment process (2024), and projects are in development in Poland (up to 24 units across 6 locations), Sweden (5 units), Estonia, and Saskatchewan. TVA has not yet taken a final investment decision; the IPD team will develop cost and schedule estimates during the validation phase, with COD potentially moving to 2033 if federal funding is awarded.
Scalability & Strategic Context
The BWRX-300's standardised design — developed jointly by TVA, GE Hitachi, Ontario Power Generation, and Synthos — is engineered to be replicated across multiple sites without redesign, enabling the learning-curve cost reductions that are essential for SMR economics at scale. At 300 MWe per unit, the reactor is sized for mid-scale grid applications where the footprint and capital intensity of a 1,000 MW conventional reactor is prohibitive. TVA's Clinch River project, if it proceeds to construction, will be the first BWRX-300 in the United States and the reference deployment for TVA's stated 1 GW nuclear capacity expansion by 2035.
Project Timeline
Further Reading
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $400 Million in Funding to Accelerate Deployment of Nation’s First Commercial Small Modular Nuclear Reactor
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a $400 million grant to the Tennessee Valley Authority to accelerate the deployment of the nation’s first commercial small modular nuclear reactor, the GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300, at the Clinch River site in Tennessee.
Tennessee Valley Authority Submits Application to Construct First BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor in U.S.
The Tennessee Valley Authority has submitted the first U.S. application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
EPCs chosen for TVA’s Clinch River SMR project
The article announces that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has selected Bechtel and Sargent & Lundy, along with GE Hitachi, to form an integrated project team for the planning and potential construction of the first small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River Nuclear site in Tennessee, using a collaborative project delivery model to drive innovation and cost reduction.
TVA becomes first utility to get small modular reactor construction permit
The article reports that the Tennessee Valley Authority has become the first U.S. utility to apply for a construction permit for a small modular reactor, marking a major step toward building a 300-MW advanced nuclear plant at its Clinch River site by 2032.
Clinch River Nuclear Site
The page is about the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's review of the Tennessee Valley Authority's application for a construction permit to build a small modular reactor (BWRX-300) at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor
The GE Vernova BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor is an advanced, next-generation nuclear power plant designed to provide 24/7 carbon-free electricity through a compact, cost-effective, and scalable boiling water reactor technology, with projects underway globally and the first unit under construction in Canada.
Clinch River Small Modular Reactor
The page describes the Clinch River Nuclear Site, where the Tennessee Valley Authority is exploring the potential development of small modular reactors as part of its future energy strategy.
Hybrid Energy Systems: The Role of Nuclear in a Clean Energy Future
The document provides an overview of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 small modular reactor, highlighting its deployment progress, technical innovations, supply chain development, and potential applications for clean energy, hydrogen production, and industrial decarbonization.