Energy
Ohio SMR Project Advances With PJM Filing, GE Reactor Deal
Elementl Power has selected GE Vernova Hitachi reactor for first 600 MW of proposed 1.5-GW plant
Rendering shows GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 small modular reactor design, which Elementl Power has selected for a proposed 1.5-GW nuclear plant in Meigs County, Ohio.
Elementl Power has advanced plans for a proposed 1.5-GW advanced nuclear power plant in southeast Ohio by filing for grid interconnection and selecting GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 small modular reactor.
The developer said June 18 it submitted a transmission interconnection request to regional grid operator PJM Interconnection in April for the first 600 MW of the project and signed an Early Works Agreement with GE Vernova Hitachi. PJM is expected to review the application later this year.
The filing comes under PJM's reformed "first-ready, first-served" interconnection process, which requires developers to demonstrate project viability before entering the queue, including proof of site control and up-front financial commitments. PJM says the changes are intended to reduce speculative projects and speed the interconnection process.
The proposed facility would occupy nearly 700 acres along the Ohio River in Letart Township, about 100 miles southeast of Columbus. Elementl said it has agreed to purchase the property from American Municipal Power and plans to privately finance the project rather than recover costs through electric utility rates.
The project remains subject to review by PJM, licensing by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board and other state and federal agencies, along with a final investment decision before construction could begin. If the project proceeds, Elementl said construction of the first unit could begin in 2030, with commercial operation targeted for 2034.
"GE Vernova Hitachi is a proven, global leader in nuclear technology, and we're pleased to partner with them to deploy their advanced BWRX-300 reactor at this site," Elementl Chairman and CEO Chris Colbert said in a statement.
GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik said projects such as the Ohio development will help strengthen long-term energy security, economic growth and reliable electricity generation in the U.S.
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The Ohio proposal adds to a growing pipeline of projects using the BWRX-300 reactor. The design is under construction at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site in Canada. The Tennessee Valley Authority also is advancing plans for potential deployment at its Clinch River site, and projects using the reactor have been proposed in Poland and Sweden.
American Municipal Power President and CEO Jolene Thompson said the proposed investment would help maintain electric reliability in Ohio and the broader region.
JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, Meigs County officials and Ohio building trades organizations also expressed support for the project, citing its potential to create construction jobs and generate long-term economic investment if it moves forward.
Bryan Gottlieb is the online editor at Engineering News-Record (ENR).
Gottlieb is a five-time Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism award winner with more than a decade of experience covering business, construction and community issues, including finance, law and real estate. He has reported for Adweek and the San Diego Daily Transcript and led a community newsroom in Santa Monica, Calif. He served as editor-in-chief of the Detroit Metro Times and as managing editor at Roofing Contractor, where he helped shape national industry coverage. At Engineering News-Record, Gottlieb covers breaking news, large-scale infrastructure and megaprojects, regulatory developments and business trends across the U.S. and global construction sectors.
email: gottliebb@enr.com | office: (248) 786-1591
