NRC Issues TVA Construction Permit for First US BWRX-300 SMR
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued TVA a construction permit Sept. 29 for a 300-MW BWRX-300 small modular reactor at Clinch River near Oak Ridge, Tenn., ENR reports, though TVA has not committed to build.
Market Impact
The permit is the first in the U.S. for the GE Vernova Hitachi design. It authorizes safety-related construction, moving the project past the site preparation and limited excavation work already allowed. It does not allow operation. TVA will need a separate operating license before it can load fuel.
“It allows TVA to begin construction of the facility in accordance with the design that we’ve reviewed,” said Jeremy Bowen, director of the NRC’s Office of Advanced Reactors.
TVA has not announced a construction start date, and nuclear construction has not begun. A TVA spokesperson told ENR the permit has not triggered new construction packages, long-lead procurement or expanded contractor scopes. The TVA board must still approve a final commitment to build. It has authorized $350 million so far: $200 million in 2022 and $150 million in August 2024. TVA also did not reaffirm a 2032 commercial operation target. It is still negotiating cost sharing and financial accountability with industry partners. TVA CEO Mike Skaggs said securing customers for the power is important to deployment.
The U.S. Energy Dept. selected TVA in December 2025 for up to $400 million in cost-shared funding. DOE named Scot Forge, North American Forgemasters, BWX Technologies and Aecon as domestic nuclear supply-chain partners. In Canada, Ontario Power Generation is already building the same design at Darlington.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Procurement is not open yet. TVA says no new construction packages, long-lead procurement or expanded scopes have been authorized. No RFP dates or bidder lists have been disclosed. Do not staff up for Clinch River work before the board acts. No board vote date has been announced.
- Prime roles are set, but subcontract roles are not. Bechtel, Sargent & Lundy and GE Hitachi are under contract to plan and design the unit and potentially procure, construct and commission it. Civil, mechanical, electrical and pipefitting firms should confirm their standing with Bechtel’s supply chain team now, since any future subcontract packages would likely run through that team.
- Geotechnical and survey firms have a defined scope. The 2019 Early Site Permit requires detailed geologic mapping as safety-related excavations open. It also requires evaluation of geological features found and additional geotechnical investigations at excavation level. TVA must notify the NRC when excavations are available for inspection. Geotechnical, surveying and excavation-support firms should document relevant credentials for this work.
- Earthwork and site-services work is largely done. TVA reports 150 acres cleared, a new five-lane bridge, improved site roads and on-site power and water installed. The NRC approved reactor-building excavation and initial ground support under a December 2024 exemption. Remaining opportunities are more likely in safety-related construction than in general site work.
- Fabricators should watch the named supply chain. DOE’s partners (Scot Forge, North American Forgemasters, BWX Technologies and Aecon) indicate where heavy forgings and components may originate. Machining, welding and fabrication shops could price lower-tier work with these firms. No such subcontracts have been confirmed.
- Darlington is the nearest proof point. Construction is underway at Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington BWRX-300. OPG applied for authorization to operate in March 2026. Firms with experience there have a track record to cite when TVA packages emerge.
