Background
U.S. electricity demand is forecast to soar in the coming years driven by consumer needs, data center growth, increased AI use, and the industrial sector’s need for constant power.
Small modular reactors could provide reliable power for these energy-intensive sectors, with the added benefit of flexible deployment thanks to their compact size and modular design. Light-water small modular reactors can also leverage the existing service and supply chain sectors supporting the country’s current fleet of light-water reactors, helping to speed up the near-term deployment of new nuclear reactors.
Program Overview
The Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor (Gen III+ SMR) Pathway to Deployment Program aims to speed the demonstration of Gen III+ nuclear reactor technologies, bridging the gap between the nation’s current fleet of reactors and more advanced reactor designs that will be demonstrated through the Advanced Reactor Demonstrations Program. The goal of the Gen III+ SMR Program is to fund projects that will build and deploy new nuclear reactors and address the gaps that have hindered the U.S. nuclear industry.
Funding Opportunities
In March of 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy reissued a $900 million Gen III+ SMR solicitation to unleash GenIII+ SMRs to help grow the supply of affordable and abundant American energy.
Funding for this solicitation was available through two tiers:
- Tier 1: First Mover Team Support provided up to $800M to support up to two first mover teams of utility, reactor vendor, constructor, and end-users/off-takers committed to deploying a first plant while facilitating a multi-reactor, Gen III+ SMR orderbook and the opportunity to work with the National Nuclear Security Administration to incorporate safeguards and security by design into the projects.
- Tier 2: Fast Follower Deployment Support provided approximately $100M to spur additional Gen III+ SMR deployments by addressing key gaps that have hindered the domestic nuclear industry in areas such as design, licensing, supply chain, and site preparation.
Applications closed on April 23, 2025.
Previous applicants who applied to the 2024 solicitation were required to resubmit their proposals following the new guidance to receive consideration.
Selections
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) - $400,000,000
Holtec 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.DOE plans to announce the selection of Tier 2 awardees later in 2025.
Announcements
- Read the press release announcing the re-issuance of the solicitation, published March 2025.
- Download the solicitation, re-issued March 2025.
Read the press release announcing Tier 1 award recipients (November 2025).
Resources
- View agendas, presentations and other materials from the Gen III+ Industry Day here.
- Watch the Gen III+ SMR Program Notice of Intent Informational Webinar recording here and view slides here.
- Read the Advanced Nuclear Liftoff Report.
- For media inquiries, contact OCEDNewsroom@hq.doe.gov.
