Dive Brief:
- The Department of Energy has issued a draft solicitation to provide $12.6 billion for advanced nuclear energy projects, aimed at helping commercialize nuclear energy technologies and supporting projects that are unable to secure full commercial financing.
- The department identified four key technology areas of interest in the draft: advanced nuclear reactors, small modular reactors, upgrades and uprates at existing facilities, and front-end nuclear projects.
- Up to $2 billion is aimed at uranium enrichment, conversion and nuclear fuel fabrication projects, and the remaining $10.6 billion will be available for three categories of reactors. Smaller projects of 300 MW of less are also being targeted.
Dive Insight:
New nuclear power plants are under construction in the United States for the first time in decades, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz noted, fueled by a growing push for clean energy.
“This solicitation would build on that investment and help support the construction of the next generation of safe and secure nuclear energy projects," Moniz said. "Expanding on the Administration’s commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy, these projects will provide clean energy to American families and businesses.”
Once the solicitation is finalized, there will be open solicitations in four areas: the $8 billion Advanced Fossil Energy Projects Solicitation; the $4 billion Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects Solicitation; and the $16 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program.
