Topic
New Builds & SMRs
New builds and small modular reactors (SMRs) are where the nuclear buildout becomes concrete: construction permits, first-of-a-kind sites like Darlington and Kemmerer, and the serial-build programs testing whether factory repetition can finally cut nuclear costs. NNN tracks every project milestone with primary sources.
Start here: Small modular reactors, explained: who is building them worldwide — NNN's reference piece on this topic.
India releases SMR-55 project report for 55 MWe reactor
NPCIL and BARC released the SMR-55 project report on October 1 for a 55 MWe indigenous reactor, a planning milestone, not construction approval.
The 7 nuclear stories that mattered this week
TVA won a landmark SMR construction permit as US-Korea reactor plans, Holtec's Palisades application and new projects shaped a pivotal week in nuclear energy.
Holtec files Palisades SMR safety report with NRC
Holtec filed a safety report for two proposed 340-MWe SMR-300 units at Palisades, completing the application package's second phase, not winning approval.
US, South Korea outline $120bn plan for eight reactors
The US and South Korea outlined Project Power, a $120 billion framework for eight reactors, but sites, schedules and commercial terms remain unsettled.
Bailong 2 enters construction with first nuclear-island concrete
China poured first nuclear-island concrete for Bailong 2, starting a 6,637-cubic-metre foundation pour for a 1,250-MW CAP1000 reactor.
The 8 nuclear stories that mattered this week
Palisades' fuel-loading pause, a major US reactor-project split, and new milestones in Europe, Canada and Asia shaped this week's nuclear news.
Rosatom completes second reactor for Chukotka floating plant
Rosatom has completed the second of two 58 MWe RITM-200S reactors for a floating plant planned to supply a copper-mining cluster in Chukotka.
Mochovce 4 starts power generation in Slovakia
Slovakia's 471-MW Mochovce 4 has started power generation, entering staged commissioning before grid synchronisation and a 144-hour full-power test.
Singapore's nuclear future: policy, money and the industry map
Singapore is studying nuclear power, not building a plant. A guide to its laws, IAEA review, SMRs, fusion investments, financing and industry players.
Bechtel splits with TerraPower on Natrium, files 200-job WARN notice
Bechtel quit TerraPower's $4B Natrium reactor in Wyoming after the partners failed to agree on the next phase, filing a WARN notice for ~200 Reston HQ jobs.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
USDA opened nuclear financing for rural co-ops, Blue Energy filed with the NRC, and fuel and reactor plans advanced from Vietnam to the UK.
Blue Energy files NRC application for Texas gas-to-nuclear plant
Blue Energy filed Part 1 of its NRC construction permit for a Texas gas-to-nuclear plant: gas turbines first, up to five BWRX-300 SMRs behind them.
US Navy's first shore microreactor to power NWS Crane by 2028
The Department of War picked Naval Weapons Station Crane, Indiana for the Navy's first shore-based microreactor, targeting operation by September 2028.
Vietnam picks Rosatom for Ninh Thuan 1, Korea closes on Ninh Thuan 2
Rosatom signed two VVER-1200s for Vietnam Ninh Thuan 1, KEPCO accelerates on Ninh Thuan 2, and the IAEA delivered its INIR Phase 2 report — a first for ASEAN.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
From a $100B-plus Korea-US reactor package to a Duane Arnold restart and Zaporizhzhia's grid return, this week's nuclear story was execution.
South Korea nears $100B deal to build eight US reactors
WSJ: South Korea is finalizing a $100B-plus US energy deal — up to eight reactors, AP1000 first then APR1400, plus a Texas gas plant for AI data centers.
Analysts size Africa's SMR market at $105B, 15 GW by 2035
A Nuclear Business Platform analysis sizes Africa's SMR market at up to $105B and 15,000 MW by 2035, led by South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana and Kenya programs.
The 8 nuclear stories that mattered this week
Palisades loads fuel as the NRC flags restart lapses, Rosatom signs Kazakhstan's first EPC, Tennessee licenses fusion and US uranium output triples.
Unity microreactor goes viral in Australia's nuclear ban debate
A viral X thread on Deployable Energy's 1-MWe Unity microreactor, framed as 'banned in Australia,' drove a nuclear advocacy surge — here's the verified core.
Rosatom signs EPC contract for Kazakhstan's first nuclear plant
Rosatom signed the EPC contract on 3 September for Kazakhstan's first nuclear plant: two VVER-1200 units totaling 2.4 GW near Lake Balkhash.
Nature Outlook puts SMRs at center of AI power debate
Nature's Aug. 26 nuclear Outlook links small reactors to AI-era power demand while weighing cost, fuel, waste and regulatory limits.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
This week's six consequential nuclear stories span U.S. defense microreactors, a 13-project DOE fast track, European construction and climate-linked operations.
Akkuyu 2 finishes primary-circuit welding in 73 days
Turkey's Akkuyu 2 completed primary-circuit welding after 73 days: reactor, steam generators and coolant pumps connected ahead of commissioning steps.
US Army picks five vendors for Janus microreactors
The US Army selected five microreactor vendors for five bases under Janus, with up to $2.2 billion planned from fiscal 2027 through 2031.
France authorises Gravelines site work for two EPR2 reactors
France has authorised EDF to prepare the Gravelines site for two EPR2 reactors, a step toward the six-unit programme but not a construction licence.
Natrium timeline: every milestone from ARDP award to first power
Every dated milestone in TerraPower's Natrium project — from the October 2020 ARDP award to construction at Kemmerer and the 2031 completion target.
NRIC picks 13 projects for Nuclear Energy Launch Pad's second round
DOE's NRIC picked 13 projects from 12 developers for the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad on Aug. 24. Eight are first-time entrants; six will build on INL land.
Westinghouse eVinci microreactor reaches zero-power criticality
Westinghouse completed zero-power criticality testing of its eVinci microreactor at the US NCERC with Los Alamos and Idaho National laboratories.
Doosan lands TerraPower Natrium contract: core barrel, guard vessel
Doosan Enerbility will forge the core barrel, guard vessel and internal supports for TerraPower's first 345 MWe Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Radiant’s Kaleidos microreactor heads to Idaho
Radiant shipped its 1 MWe Kaleidos microreactor more than 1,000 miles to Idaho National Laboratory for a five-phase DOME test campaign.
Haiyang-3 completes hot functional testing
China completed hot functional tests at Haiyang-3 after 53 commissioning procedures, clearing a pre-fuel milestone for the CAP1000 unit.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
TerraPower's guaranteed-price reactor fleet, Cernavoda's drought shutdown, Spain's phase-out retreat and Aalo's criticality push made a week about bankability.
Blue Energy and GVH advance 2.5 GW gas-plus-nuclear plant in Texas
Blue Energy and GVH advanced their 2.5 GW Texas gas-plus-nuclear plant: 1 GW of gas turbines by 2030, then up to five BWRX-300 SMRs from 2032. FID is 2027.
TerraPower names Hyundai E&C as EPC for up to eight Natrium reactors
TerraPower named Hyundai E&C as EPC for up to eight Natrium reactors with completion, price and performance guarantees, plus an SK Innovation Korea term sheet.
Aalo turns its July 4 criticality into a reactor mass-production push
Aalo Atomics says its July 4 zero-power criticality validated its supply chain and it is expanding into a one-million-sq-ft factory to mass-produce Aalo Pods.
Tianwan 7 begins loading its first nuclear fuel
China has begun loading fuel into Tianwan 7, the first of 163 assemblies for a Russian-designed VVER-1200 scheduled for commercial operation in 2026.
Tianwan 8 completes cold functional tests
China's Tianwan 8 has completed cold functional tests, moving its 1,100 MWe VVER-1200 unit into commissioning before fuel loading.
Slovakia’s Mochovce 4 Reaches First Criticality After 39 Years
Slovakia’s 471-MWe Mochovce 4 has reached first criticality after 39 years of construction, moving the delayed unit into testing before grid connection.
The 7 nuclear stories that mattered this week
From China's eight-reactor approval to Zaporizhzhia's power risk, this week's nuclear news was about turning plans, fuel and regulation into operating reality.
Oklo's Groves reactor reaches first criticality in Texas
Oklo says its Groves Isotope Test Reactor reached first criticality in Texas less than a year after groundbreaking under the DOE pilot program.
Top SMR developers in 2026, ranked by what they've actually built
Updated August 2026: SMR developers ranked on construction, licences and firm orders. GE Vernova Hitachi leads; TerraPower adds a fleet EPC deal.
NRC reactor licensing process, explained
NRC reactor licensing uses safety, environmental and public reviews. Compare Parts 50, 52 and the optional Part 53 framework, effective April 2026.
China approves eight reactors across four nuclear projects
China approved eight reactors at four sites, pairing Hualong One 2.0 demonstrations with the first batch-built Guohe One project at Laiyang.
How states procure new nuclear power
States buy new nuclear through a chain of planning, site readiness, competitive bids, financing, licensing and ratepayer review, not one approval.
DOE: four advanced reactors hit criticality in 2026
DOE says four advanced test reactors reached criticality in 2026, beating the July 4 Reactor Pilot Program target of three.
Oklo gets DOE startup authorization for Groves reactor
DOE authorized Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor to load fuel and move toward first criticality after a just-over-10-month private-land build in Texas.
Power NJ Act, explained
New Jersey's Power NJ Act creates a competitive procurement path for at least 1,100 MW of new nuclear, with deadlines running to July 2028.
Every Nuclear Plant Under Construction in the US in 2026
The NNN tracker shows one U.S. nuclear unit under construction in 2026: TerraPower's 345 MW Natrium at Kemmerer, Wyoming, with a 2031 completion estimate.
New Jersey keeps its 1,100 MW nuclear procurement moving
Governor Mikie Sherrill keeps New Jersey's Power NJ Act on a procurement clock, with at least 1,100 MW of new nuclear and deadlines to July 2028.
Mochovce 4 preparing for physical start-up tests
Slovenské elektrárne says Mochovce unit 4 has finished assembly and sealing and is moving into the physical tests that precede first criticality.
India turns Mahi Banswara into a 2.8 GW PHWR procurement
India's ASHVINI tender sets up 4 × 700 MW at Mahi Banswara, a ₹28,000 crore package that turns the country's PHWR plan into procurement.
New Jersey sets timeline for 1,100 MW nuclear procurement
New Jersey's Power NJ Act sets a 1,100 MW nuclear procurement clock with 180-day, 60-day, 90-day and 12-month milestones.
TerraPower begins excavation at Kemmerer Unit 1
TerraPower says crews have begun excavation at Kemmerer Unit 1, moving the 345-megawatt Natrium reactor and storage system toward foundation work.
New Jersey opens 1,100 MW nuclear procurement process
New Jersey launched a procurement program for at least 1,100 MW of new nuclear, giving the state its first competitive route to build.
Newcleo lays out NRC licensing path for 200 MWe reactor
Newcleo filed a Regulatory Engagement Plan with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its 200 MWe LFR-AS-200, opening pre-application talks.
China General Nuclear installs reactor vessel at Lufeng unit 1
China General Nuclear installed the reactor vessel at Lufeng unit 1, advancing a six-unit Guangdong buildout that could eventually supply 52 TWh a year.
TVA's 2026 IRP puts advanced nuclear in the grid plan
TVA's 2026 IRP models 1–5 GW of new nuclear capacity, signaling that SMRs are part of long-range load planning as demand grows.
The 5 nuclear stories that mattered this week
From AP1000 renewal to Chernobyl decommissioning, the week's five biggest nuclear stories all pointed at execution, not hype.
Core Analysis: The license path is the product now
The NRC's NEPA rewrite, Clinch River, and Poland's CfD request all point to the same shift: the licensing path is becoming part of the product.
BWRX-300 vs AP300 vs Natrium: which SMR is actually winning?
BWRX-300 leads on deployment, AP300 banks on AP1000 heritage, Natrium adds storage. How the three highest-profile Western SMR programs compare in 2026.
Natrium, explained: TerraPower's reactor with a built-in battery
Natrium pairs a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten-salt storage that boosts output to 500 MWe — and it's now under construction in Wyoming.
The BWRX-300, explained
GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe boiling-water SMR — the first Western small modular reactor to reach construction, at OPG's Darlington site.
Small modular reactors, explained: who is building them worldwide
Small modular reactors are factory-built nuclear plants of up to 300 MWe. Who is building them worldwide, which operate today, and what is under construction.
Poland's Orlen Synthos seeks CfD backing for 14 BWRX-300 SMRs
Orlen Synthos Green Energy has asked Warsaw for Contract for Difference support covering a 14-unit BWRX-300 programme across three Polish sites.
OPG seeks licence to operate first G7 small modular reactor
Ontario Power Generation has applied for a 20-year licence to operate the first BWRX-300 at Darlington — set to be the first SMR running in a G7 nation.
