NRC issues first U.S. construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued the first construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The BWRX-300 is a pressurized water reactor (PWR) with a 300 MWe capacity, which is about 1/10 the size of a conventional reactor. The TVA plans to build the reactor at its Clinch River site in Tennessee, with a construction timeline that includes completion in 2026 and a commercial operation in 2028. The BWRX-300 is designed by Westinghouse Electric Company, which is a global leader in nuclear technology. The reactor uses a unique technology that reduces the volume of coolant and improves safety. The TVA has been developing the project with Westinghouse for several years and has received significant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.