6 days ago
Army Awards $2.2 Billion for Small Nuclear Reactors
The US Army wants to build small nuclear power plants at five military bases.
It plans to spend $2.2 billion on the project.
The first reactor is supposed to start working by September 2028.
The Army says military bases need dependable electricity.
Today, many bases use diesel fuel when the regular power grid fails.
Nuclear reactors could provide power without needing fuel deliveries.
Several companies will develop and operate the reactors.
However, no small modular reactor is operating yet, so the project still faces technical and approval challenges.
The US Army awarded vendors a combined $2.2 billion to build and operate small nuclear reactors at five military bases.
The Army aims to have the first reactor operating by September 2028.
Five companies, including Antares Nuclear, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse and General Atomics, were selected for the work.
The Army says the reactors could reduce reliance on diesel fuel during power-grid disruptions or conflicts.
No small modular reactor is currently in service, and only NuScale’s design has been approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- Who
- The US Army and five selected companies, including Antares Nuclear, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse and General Atomics.
- What
- The Army awarded $2.2 billion to build and operate small modular nuclear reactors at five military bases.
- Where
- At five initial locations on US military bases; the specific bases were not identified.
- When
- The announcement was made Wednesday, with the first reactor targeted to operate by September 2028.
- Why
- The Army says reliable nuclear power could protect critical infrastructure from electric-grid disruptions and reduce dependence on diesel fuel during conflicts.
Key facts
- Total investment
- $2.2 billion
- Number of locations
- Five initial military-base locations
- First reactor target
- September 2028
- Technology
- Small modular reactors, also called SMRs
- Selected companies
- Five companies, including Antares Nuclear, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse and General Atomics
- Current SMR status
- No SMR is in service; NuScale is the only manufacturer identified as having an NRC-approved reactor design
- Regulatory coordination
- The Army is working with the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to align approval processes
Quotes
Jeff Waksman
Senior Army official in charge of facilities and energy
“In a conflict, we also know that we will not necessarily be able to move fossil fuels easily wherever we need them to go.”
NDTV
“We now know that our domestic electric grid is potentially at risk.”
NDTV
Sources
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