DOE Awards USD 800 Million to TVA and Holtec to Accelerate U.S. SMR Deployment
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Holtec Government Services to advance early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs) in the United States. The two project teams will receive up to USD 800 million in federal cost-shared funding to support initial projects in Tennessee and Michigan, with the goal of bringing new nuclear generation online in the early 2030s.
The initiative aims to strengthen domestic nuclear supply chains, expand U.S. generating capacity, and accelerate federal efforts to support next-generation nuclear technology.
Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy, said advanced SMRs will deliver reliable, round-the-clock power needed to support growing electricity demand from manufacturing, data centers, and AI infrastructure.
TVA, awarded USD 400 million, will advance deployment of the GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 at the Clinch River Nuclear site and collaborate with partners including Indiana Michigan Power, Elementl, Scot Forge, North American Forgemasters, BWX Technologies, and Aecon.
Holtec Government Services, also awarded USD 400 million, plans to deploy two SMR-300 units at the Palisades site in Michigan using a vertically integrated model in partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction.
DOE issued a USD 900 million solicitation in March 2025 to de-risk Gen III+ SMR deployment, with the remaining USD 100 million to be awarded later this year.
Source: energy.gov
