The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has certified the design for NuScale Power's small modular reactor (SMR), marking a significant milestone for the next generation of nuclear power in the United States. The certification, announced in January 2023, allows utilities to reference the design in applications for construction and operating licenses.
NuScale's SMR is a light-water reactor that can generate up to 77 megawatts of electricity per module. The company plans to build a 12-module plant at the Idaho National Laboratory, with a target operational date in the late 2020s. The project, known as the Carbon Free Power Project, is led by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems.
Other advanced reactor designs, including those from TerraPower and X-energy, are also progressing through the NRC's licensing process. TerraPower's Natrium reactor, a sodium-cooled fast reactor, is being developed with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and is planned for a site in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
These next-generation reactors are designed to be safer, more efficient, and produce less waste than traditional nuclear plants. They also offer the potential for flexible power generation, complementing renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
