SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Utah Becomes the Regional Epicenter of American Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Thanks to recent strategic agreements, Utah is establishing itself as a key regional hub for the development and production of Small Modular Reactors, boosting a rapidly growing industry at the heart of the United States.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Utah is accelerating the deployment of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology following several recent agreements involving major regional and industrial partnerships. These developments have positioned this American state at the center of an innovative energy strategy aimed at diversifying its electricity production sources. The clearly stated objective by local authorities is to strengthen regional energy infrastructure by encouraging the installation of advanced nuclear reactors capable of gradually replacing older power plants. To achieve this, the state has launched numerous concrete initiatives aimed at creating an attractive industrial and regulatory ecosystem around SMRs.

Interstate Agreement for a Common Energy Strategy

The governors of neighboring Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah signed a regional memorandum of understanding facilitating interstate cooperation in the energy sector, with particular attention given to modular nuclear technology. The agreement aims to harmonize regulatory frameworks and pool technical resources among the three states involved. Specifically, the authorities have committed to working together to resolve operational and infrastructural challenges related to the rapid development of this technology. The agreement also outlines coordinated actions to optimize the integration of SMRs into existing regional power grids.

Additionally, Utah has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), renowned for its research in advanced nuclear energy. This partnership primarily aims to accelerate applied research, support specialized workforce training, and enhance regional technical capabilities for managing these new installations. The national laboratory will thus contribute its technical expertise, particularly in the fields of nuclear safety and technological innovations.

Industrial Partnership with Holtec International

The private sector also plays a central role in expanding the SMR sector in Utah, notably through the recent announcement of a major partnership between the state, the American company Holtec International, and the firm Hi Tech Solutions. This collaboration includes the deployment of Holtec’s SMR-300 modular reactor, aiming to establish a local industrial production chain to supply reactors throughout the region. The plan also involves the construction of a permanent professional training center, operational by 2028, to support rapid sector growth.

Finally, EnergySolutions and Intermountain Power Agency are currently studying the feasibility of establishing one or several SMRs on the site of the existing coal-fired power plant located in Delta, Utah. This approach aims to optimize costs by utilizing existing infrastructure while preparing for a technological transition toward nuclear power. This strategy could serve as a relevant industrial conversion model for other American states facing the gradual closure of aging energy facilities.

These new measures highlight Utah’s ambition to become indispensable in the emerging SMR sector, providing investors and industries greater visibility into the economic potential of these advanced technologies. Energy sector stakeholders are closely monitoring the evolution of these initiatives, aware of the substantial economic opportunities that could arise from a successful large-scale deployment.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
TotalEnergies exits three mature fields in Norway’s Ekofisk area
Hydrogen Valleys: the Clean Hydrogen Partnership selects 36 European applications
Iberdrola adds 708 MW of solar capacity to joint venture with Norges Bank
EDF power solutions and El Paso Electric launch 150 MW solar facility in New Mexico
TotalEnergies sells 35% of Danish Bifrost project to CarbonVault, a SCHWENK subsidiary
Rome launches legislative process to reintegrate nuclear energy into its mix
The Italian government has approved a bill granting the executive authority to regulate the return of nuclear energy, in line with European carbon neutrality and energy security targets for 2050.
Framatome launches dedicated line for military nuclear propulsion in Jeumont
Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have commissioned a specialised industrial line in Jeumont for the manufacturing of nuclear components used in French Navy vessels.
Terra Innovatum signs two strategic agreements to accelerate deployment of its modular reactor
Italian company Terra Innovatum is advancing the commercialisation of its SOLO micro-reactor, with two new partnerships and $42.5mn in funding as part of a merger with a listed company.
Orano, Navoiyuran and ITOCHU launch uranium mining at South Djengeldi site
The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.
Russian strike cuts power to Chernobyl site, reigniting nuclear safety concerns
The containment structure over Chernobyl’s destroyed reactor lost power after a Russian strike, as Zaporizhzhia remains cut off from external electricity for over a week.
U.S. uranium purchases reach 55.9 million pounds in 2024
Uranium deliveries to U.S. civilian operators rose 8% in 2024, while the average price climbed to its highest level since 2012, according to the latest available data.
Medvedev announces the rise of public investment in nuclear and AI
The Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council believes more countries will develop nuclear weapons and generative AI technologies as a result of increasing public sector efforts.
Orano wins legal case in uranium dispute over Somaïr site
An international tribunal ruled in favour of French company Orano against the State of Niger, which had blocked the sale of uranium extracted from the Arlit mine since taking control of the site in 2023.
Oklo and Blykalla form transatlantic alliance on modular reactor development
US-based Oklo and Sweden’s Blykalla join forces to coordinate supply chains and regulatory data sharing to accelerate the commercial deployment of their metal-cooled small modular reactors.
EDF to invest €25bn to strengthen nuclear capacity by 2030
EDF plans a massive €25bn ($26.5bn) investment to modernise its nuclear fleet, focusing on reactor lifetime extension and preparing for new nuclear projects in France.
EDF nuclear costs kept under control until 2028 according to CRE
The French Energy Regulatory Commission set the full nuclear cost at €60.3/MWh by 2026, outlining the taxation thresholds applicable under the market reform scheduled for 2026.
Bulgaria begins talks for the deployment of small modular reactors
The Ministry of Energy will initiate talks with developers of small nuclear reactors after signing a cooperation agreement with the United States to conduct preliminary studies on their deployment.
EDF pushes back Flamanville EPR restart to 17 October
The restart of the Flamanville EPR reactor, initially scheduled for 1 October, has been delayed by more than two weeks due to a maintenance operation on the primary circuit.
Natural uranium will be sufficient to fuel nuclear reactors until 2100
The International Atomic Energy Agency says known natural uranium reserves will meet global nuclear power plant demand for the rest of the century, despite price pressures.
Rosatom will finalise field studies for Kazakhstan’s nuclear power plant in 2025
Site selection for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant enters an advanced technical phase, with more than 100 experts mobilised by Rosatom to conduct complex geological and seismic analyses.
ICSID blocks the sale of SOMAÏR uranium by the State of Niger
The ICSID arbitral tribunal ordered Niger to suspend any sale of uranium produced by SOMAÏR, ruling that this material falls under Orano’s contractual rights, amid a dispute with the State that has lasted for several months.
TNC partners with Nucor to strengthen US nuclear supply chain by 2050
US-based TNC has entered into a strategic agreement with Nucor Corporation to expand gigawatt-scale nuclear capacity in line with federal targets of 400 GW by 2050.
Framatome and ENEA join forces to develop lunar nuclear reactors
Framatome and Italian agency ENEA have signed an agreement to design nuclear reactors capable of powering future human settlements on the Moon, amid growing European ambitions in space.
X-energy confirms feasibility of high-temperature modular reactor in Alberta
A technical report backed by the Government of Alberta confirms the potential of the Xe-100 reactor to meet the province’s industrial and electrical energy needs.
IAEA warns of drone activity near Ukrainian nuclear facilities
Drones were detected within 500 metres of the South Ukraine nuclear power plant, while Zaporizhzhia remains without off-site power.