Washington, D.C.— Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected two teams led by TerraPower LLC and X-energy to receive a total of $160 million in initial funding under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). These projects are part of the first pathway of the program that creates partnerships between DOE and the private industry and provides funding to develop and build advanced nuclear reactors within 5 to 7 years of the award that will generate carbon-free electricity to help meet the nation’s carbon reduction goals. The following statement can be attributed to Maria Korsnick, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute:
“Today’s announcement signifies a pivotal development for the United States. The ARDP builds on the momentum already seen through the dozens of companies investing in the next generation of nuclear technologies. The Department of Energy’s investment will accelerate these advanced technologies from concept to deployment, moving even more carbon-free technologies to market. Through DOE’s leadership and continued support in public-private partnerships, we will see the next generation of reliable, carbon-free nuclear energy become a reality this decade.
“Rapid progress on the pathway towards deployment, is more critical than ever to address our climate challenges and secure a carbon-free future across the world. The advanced reactors designs selected by DOE will also be able to support non-electricity applications, opening the door for nuclear to play new roles in our nation’s efforts to decarbonize.”
