US Department of Energy Initiative Advances Reactor and Fuel Cycle Projects

The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, an initiative of the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) under the US Department of Energy, announced the selection of 12 recipients on August 24. This program, established earlier this year, aims to expedite the development and implementation of advanced nuclear technologies by private companies. It expands upon the Reactor Pilot Program and the Fuel Line Pilot Program, launched in June and August 2025, respectively, to accelerate advanced nuclear technology deployment through flexible technical and regulatory frameworks on both federal and non-federal lands.

The selected projects encompass reactor development and nuclear fuel cycle advancements, including fabrication, enrichment, and conversion technologies. Eight companies—Atlas Atomics, Forge Atomics, Hexium, Lightbridge, Nusano, Raven-Flint Nuclear, Scaled Atomics, and Sublime Atomics—are new to the Launch Pad program. Four other reactor developers—Antares Nuclear, Deployable Energy, Oklo, and Valar Atomics—had previously received support under the initiative and the Reactor Pilot Program, with their projects achieving zero-power fueled criticality earlier this summer.

Reactor Development Highlights

Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 reactor, a sodium heat pipe-cooled, TRISO-fueled microreactor, achieved zero-power fueled criticality at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in June, meeting a July 4 deadline. The company is now developing an electricity-producing prototype and has been chosen by the US Air Force to supply microreactors to Joint Base San Antonio. Deployable Energy's Unity reactor, the first selection under the Launch Pad initiative in April, reached criticality in early July. The company has been selected for two upcoming demonstrations: a full-power demonstration at INL and a maritime demonstration with Hornbeck Offshore. Valar Atomics' 100-kWt Ward 250 helium-cooled, TRISO-fueled, high-temperature gas reactor also reached zero-power criticality in June and is proceeding with power ascension. Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor achieved zero-power fueled criticality in August.

Other reactor developers receiving Launch Pad support include Atlas Atomics, which is developing advanced heavy-water reactor technology for baseload power, isotope production, and spent nuclear fuel recycling. Forge Atomics is developing a factory-built, 25-MWe pressurized water reactor using low-enriched uranium dioxide fuel. Scaled Atomics, formerly Avant Tech, is an Oak Ridge-based microreactor developer.

Fuel Cycle Advancements

Lightbridge, a Virginia-based advanced nuclear fuel technology company, stated that its selection provides an accelerated path for US Department of Energy authorization to design, build, and operate a dedicated facility at INL. This facility will manufacture Lead Test Assemblies of its proprietary metallic nuclear fuel for testing in US commercial power reactors, aiming to significantly shorten the timeline. Lightbridge is collaborating with an engineering, procurement, and construction firm for the Special High-assay low-enriched uranium Extrusion Demonstration facility, with construction planned to begin next year.

Raven-Flint Nuclear Corporation announced its selection under the Launch Pad, coinciding with the first successful production of uranium hexafluoride using a proprietary conversion process designed to eliminate elemental fluorine gas. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has also docketed its license application for engineering-scale uranium operations at its radiochemistry laboratory. The company plans to construct Torch, a pilot conversion facility at the INL site, capable of converting 500 tonnes of uranium per year into uranium hexafluoride for the US Department of Energy and affiliated entities, and for domestic defense needs.

Studsvik Joins Partnership for Four-Unit BWRX-300 Project in Southern Sweden

Swedish engineering services firm Studsvik has announced its participation in a new build project involving four BWRX-300 units in southern Sweden. The project, known as the ReFirm program, has a total capacity of 1.2 GW.

On Thursday, Studsvik formalized its involvement by entering into a joint development agreement. The agreement includes GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, GE Vernova Financial Services, DS Investment Partners, and Samsung C&T as partners. This collaboration aims to advance the ReFirm program, with the goal of having the first unit operational by the mid-2030s.

Consortium Advances Swedish SMR Program with Focus on Supply Chain Development

A consortium consisting of Studsvik, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH), GE Vernova Financial Services, DS Investment Partners, and Samsung C&T has signed an agreement to advance the ReFirm nuclear program at Studsvik's sites in Sweden. The ReFirm program, which became part of the Studsvik Group through the acquisition of Kärnfull Next, is a multi-site small modular reactor (SMR) and new nuclear development initiative. The program focuses on light-water SMR technology, with plans for multiple units at "SMR parks" and a target for the first unit to be commissioned in the mid-2030s.

Under the new agreement, the partners will immediately commence joint development work, covering commercial, technical, regulatory, and financing aspects during an exclusive period. Studsvik will be responsible for permitting, environmental impact assessments, site rights, community engagement, and dialogue with the Swedish state. GVH will lead reactor design, licensing support, and cost estimation, acting as the design authority. Together with Samsung C&T, GVH will form the execution team, providing single-point responsibility for design and construction delivery.

During the exclusivity period, DS Investment Partners will lead investment efforts, while GE Vernova Financial Services will provide advisory and financial structuring support. A joint project company will be established to manage the development, financing, construction, ownership, and operation of the plants, with definitive agreements to finalize these details. The agreement covers potential sites at Nyköping and Valdemarsvik, with initial development planned for a four-unit BWRX-300 project, totaling approximately 1,200 MWe, at one of these locations.

The phased, multi-unit structure is designed to promote standardization across the program and facilitate the application of lessons learned from early deployments to subsequent units, aiming to improve cost, schedule, and productivity. This approach also seeks to maximize Swedish industrial participation throughout engineering, procurement, construction, and long-term operations. The broader objective is to build a supply chain capable of supporting not only the initial project but also subsequent units and wider deployment opportunities in Sweden and Europe.

GVH's BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR featuring passive safety systems, leveraging the design and licensing basis of GEH's ESBWR boiling water reactor. The first BWRX-300 is currently under construction at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site in Canada, with completion anticipated by the end of the decade.