United States accelerates 11 nuclear reactor endeavors, aiming for their completion by 2026 with the participation of selected companies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has chosen 11 advanced nuclear reactor projects as part of its Reactor Pilot Program. The goal is to expedite the testing, licensing, and deployment of these innovative reactors by July 4, 2026.
The selected companies are:
- Aalo Atomics
- Antares Nuclear
- Atomic Alchemy
- Deep Fission
- Last Energy
- Oklo
- Natura Resources
- Radiant Industries
- Terrestrial Energy
- Valar Atomics
These projects aim to construct, operate, and achieve criticality of at least three test reactors using the DOE authorization process by Independence Day, 2026.
Features and Goals of the Reactor Pilot Program
The program seeks to restore U.S. leadership in advanced nuclear reactor technology, emphasizing innovation, commercial viability, and manufacturing competitiveness. It implements a streamlined DOE authorization process for reactor testing, allowing projects on private or non-national laboratory sites without the need for a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license.
Specific Reactor Design Features Highlighted
Terrestrial Energy’s Project TETRA is one of the highlighted projects. It focuses on key testing to support licensing for their Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), which is a molten salt reactor design aimed at fleet-scale commercial deployment in the U.S.
Oklo was selected for three projects, including one called Atomic Alchemy, reflecting their push to innovate and quickly build new types of nuclear reactors leveraging advanced designs and new licensing pathways.
Other companies represent a broad spectrum of reactor designs, though specific features per company are limited in the sources. The overall emphasis is on advanced, innovative reactor types beyond traditional light-water reactors, likely including small modular reactors (SMRs), molten salt reactors, and other next-generation concepts with improved safety, efficiency, and economic potential.
The Aalo Pod: A Modular Reactor for Powering Data Centers
A notable design among the selected projects is the Aalo Pod, an extra modular reactor developed by Aalo Atomics. The Aalo Pod is designed for powering data centers. The prototype belongs to the category of XMR, or an extra modular reactor with extra flexibility and modularity, allowing easy scaling from 100s of MW to 1,000s of MW as the demand for energy grows.
The Aurora Project by Oklo
Oklo's Aurora project, aimed at producing up to 75 megawatt (electric) power alongside usable heat, was also selected. Notably, Oklo's Aurora will use the waste fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
The selection of these 11 advanced reactor projects is a major step towards streamlining nuclear reactor testing and opening a new pathway toward fast-tracking commercial licensing activities. This move is aimed at realizing President Trump's dream of making the U.S. a world leader in nuclear energy.
The Reactor Pilot Program was announced by the US DOE in June 2025. The selection process is part of an effort to provide a continuous energy supply to American homes and businesses. Each company selected will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning its test reactor under the program.
[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-announces-11-advanced-nuclear-reactor-projects-pilot-program [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2021/03/05/the-us-nuclear-industry-is-poised-for-a-renaissance-and-the-doe-is-leading-the-way/?sh=519f442c2d7b [3] https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-selects-11-advanced-nuclear-reactor-projects-pilot-program [4] https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/US-DOE-selects-advanced-nuclear-projects-for-pilot-pr [5] https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/US-DOE-selects-11-advanced-nuclear-reactor-projects
- The Aalo Pod, a modular reactor developed by Aalo Atomics for powering data centers, is designed with the flexibility to scale from hundreds of megawatts to thousands, showcasing the potential of technological innovation in the energy and finance sectors.
- Oklo's Aurora project, a next-generation nuclear reactor aimed at producing up to 75 megawatts of electricity and useful heat, exemplifies the integration of science, industry, and finance in the pursuit of energy solutions. Notably, it plans to use waste fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II at Idaho National Laboratory.
- The Reactor Pilot Program, a US Department of Energy initiative announced in June 2025, aims to foster innovation, boost manufacturing competitiveness, and restore US leadership in advanced nuclear reactor technology. This program aligns with the broader goal of expediting the testing, licensing, and deployment of novel reactors in the industry, specifically small modular reactors, molten salt reactors, and other cutting-edge concepts, backed by finance and investment.
