Framatome and IBA Establish Ekalia for Astatine-211 Production

Amazon, American Electric Power (AEP), and X-energy are collaborating on a project to develop a 12-unit small modular reactor (SMR) plant in Sullivan County, Indiana. The proposed site is the former location of I&M's Breed Generating Station. Amazon will support the project through a funding agreement and a long-term power purchase agreement, covering facility and operational costs for the contract duration. The project, if it reaches a final investment decision, is expected to create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions.

Each Xe-100 SMR provides 80 MW of electrical energy, with 12 units arranged in three groups of four, potentially generating nearly a gigawatt of carbon-free power for the regional grid. AEP Chairman and CEO Bill Fehrman stated that advanced nuclear energy could provide dependable power for over half a century and support economic growth. Josh Weissman, VP of Data Center Infrastructure Capacity Delivery at Amazon, noted the project's alignment with Amazon's Climate Pledge goal to achieve net-zero carbon across operations by 2040. X-energy CEO J Clay Sell highlighted the collaboration's aim to advance a clean, safe, and reliable energy solution for Indiana.

Project Background and Technology

This Indiana project is the second under a 2024 collaboration between Amazon and X-energy, which includes Amazon taking a stake in X-energy. Their joint goal is to add over 5 GW of new nuclear capacity to the US grid by 2039. The first scheme is planned for the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington state. Amazon intends to be the first off-take customer for these projects, providing a demand signal to accelerate new carbon-free power for the grid.

The Xe-100 is a pebble bed high-temperature gas reactor with a thermal output of 200 MW (80 MW electrical). It uses TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) fuel particles, which are enriched uranium spheres coated with carbon and ceramic materials designed to withstand high temperatures. The main feedstock for the fuel, manufactured by X-energy's TRISO-X subsidiary, is high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). In February, TRISO-X received a 40-year Special Nuclear Material Licence from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, allowing it to commercially manufacture HALEU fuel under a single license. HALEU contains between 5% and 20% fissile uranium-235, which is a higher enrichment than the 3.5% to 5% U-235 found in typical commercial reactor fuel.

Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom has signed an agreement to deploy two FPU-100 floating nuclear power units in Indonesia. The units will provide a combined capacity of 200 MW to the northern part of Halmahera Island in North Maluku. Rosatom anticipates the units will begin supplying electricity within five years.

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, highlighted the agreement as the world's first export deal for electricity supply from a floating power unit. He noted that cooperation between Rosatom and Indonesia is advancing, with Indonesia pursuing energy security and carbon neutrality.

Yudi Utomo Imardjoko, Director of PT Pembangkit Listrik Nuklir, stated that providing clean, reliable, and carbon-free electricity is crucial for Indonesia's long-term energy future. He emphasized that the project is a business-to-business initiative, funded by private-sector investment without relying on Indonesia's State Budget. The Indonesian Government, particularly the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Russia, supported the agreement.

Phased Approach to Nuclear Energy

Rosatom has proposed a two-phased approach for nuclear energy development in Indonesia. The initial phase involves small-scale floating nuclear power units, followed by a second phase that includes land-based nuclear power plants equipped with larger units.

Rosatom's Floating Nuclear Power Unit Experience

Rosatom is currently constructing four floating power units to supply electricity to a copper mining center in Chukotka. The company aims to export floating nuclear power plants with capacities of at least 100 MWe and a service life of up to 60 years. These units feature RITM-200M reactors, derived from those used in Russia's nuclear-powered icebreakers.

Rosatom has over five years of operational experience with the Akademik Lomonosov, the world's only operating floating nuclear power plant. This plant, along with its coastal infrastructure, supplies heat and power to the city of Pevek in Russia's Arctic Chukotka region.

The business model for these floating power units involves Rosatom retaining ownership and operational responsibility, with the customer paying for the generated electricity. Rosatom states that these units are environmentally friendly, easy to deploy, ensure stable electricity prices, and do not require countries to invest in their own nuclear infrastructure or assume ownership.