- The U.S. Department of Energy selected TVA and Holtec to support early deployment of advanced light-water small modular reactors with up to 800 million dollars in funding. - The projects aim to deliver new nuclear capacity in the early 2030s, strengthen domestic supply chains, and promote nuclear energy expansion under Trump’s energy agenda. - TVA plans to deploy a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 at Clinch River site in Tennessee and accelerate additional units with partners including Indiana Michigan Power and Elementl. - Holtec intends to build two SMR-300 reactors at the Palisades site in Michigan, demonstrating scalability for broader domestic and international markets. - Both teams will leverage existing supply chains and are supported by partnerships with industries, research entities, and construction firms. - DOE's effort aligns with President Trump’s goal to increase affordable, reliable energy to boost manufacturing, AI, and grid stability. - A $900 million solicitation was issued in March 2025 to reduce deployment barriers, with an additional 100 million dollars later allocated for further support. - These initiatives aim to position small modular reactors as a fast, scalable solution for the nation’s energy future.

Energy Department Selects TVA and Holtec to Advance Deployment of U.S. Small Modular Reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the selection of the Tennessee Valley Authority and Holtec Government Services to support early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors in the United States.

December 2, 2025

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Holtec Government Services to support early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs) in the United States. The project teams will receive up to $800 million in federal cost-shared funding to advance initial projects in Tennessee and Michigan and help expand the Nation’s capacity while facilitating additional follow-on projects and associated supply chains. The selections announced today will help deliver new nuclear generation in the early 2030s, strengthen domestic supply chains, and advance President Trump’s Executive Orders to usher in a nuclear renaissance and expand America’s Energy Dominance agenda.

“President Trump has made clear that America is going to build more energy, not less, and nuclear is central to that mission,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Advanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President’s manufacturing boom, support data centers and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid. These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible.”

With today’s announcement, DOE is supporting the following first-mover teams to develop and construct the first Gen III+ small modular reactor (Gen III+ SMR) plants in the United States:

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) - $400,000,000 TVA plans to advance deployment of a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 at the Clinch River Nuclear site in Tennessee, as well as accelerate the deployment of additional units with Indiana Michigan Power and Elementl. Additionally, TVA plans to work with the domestic nuclear supply chain partners Scot Forge, North American Forgemasters, BWX Technologies, and Aecon. Other partners supporting the project include Duke Energy, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and the Electric Power Research Institute.

Holtec Government Services, LLC (Holtec) - $400,000,000Holtec plans to deploy two SMR-300 reactors at the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station site in Covert, Michigan, demonstrating viability for additional orders both domestically and abroad. Holtec is pursuing an innovative one-stop-shop approach to SMR deployment by fulfilling the roles of technology vendor, supply chain vendor, nuclear plant constructor in partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, plant operator, and electricity merchant selling the power to near-by utilities and end-users.

As the nation prepares for continued growth in electricity demand, President Trump has charged DOE with adding new, affordable and reliable energy to keep America energy secure. Small modular reactors offer flexible deployment, proven technology, and the ability to leverage existing supply chains, making them one of the fastest and most scalable pathways to new nuclear capacity.

In March 2025, DOE issued a $900 million solicitation to de-risk the deployment of Gen III+ SMRs and the remaining $100 million will be awarded later this year to support additional deployments and address key barriers in design, licensing, supply chain, and site readiness.

For more information, visit the Gen III+ SMR webpage here.