APPROVAL AND CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

There have been a number of recent announcements which show that the rollout of SMRs is gathering pace. Here is a small selection:

Texas A&M University is spearheading an initiative to host small modular reactors (SMRs) at its Texas A&M-RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas. The project involves partnerships with four advanced nuclear companies: Kairos Power, Natura Resources, Terrestrial Energy, and Aalo Atomics.

US microreactor technology company NANO Nuclear Energy Inc has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to construct the first research KRONOS micro modular reactor on the university’s campus.

The Korean SMART100 SMR has received design approval. The upgraded model is now ready for global export, particularly to Saudi Arabia, a key partner in the development of the technology.

TerraPower has issued contracts for the manufacture of key components of its Natrium reactor which will be built in Wyoming.

On 4th April 2025 the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has announced its decision to authorise Ontario Power Generation to construct a BWRX-300 reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site in Clarington, Ontario.

There is also major interest in nuclear from the operators of AI centres as they consume large amounts of electricity.