TVA Secures First US Permit for Advanced BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor

Key Facts

1The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) received a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) received a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor. WSMV reported that the permit is for the Clinch River site near Oak Ridge, making TVA the first U.S. utility permitted to construct this specific advanced reactor design.

Small modular reactors are designed to produce up to 300 megawatts of electricity, approximately one-third the output of traditional nuclear units. TVC closed at $23.75 on September 29, 2026, though the authority has not yet announced a formal construction date as it continues to coordinate cost-sharing plans with industry partners.