X-energy Achieves Major Construction Milestone
X-energy has officially completed the main structure of the TX-1 advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Developed by its subsidiary TRISO-X, the massive 214,000-square-foot facility represents a historic milestone, being the first commercial advanced nuclear fuel production plant built in the United States in over 50 years. The 20,000-square-meter main building is now ready for the installation of specialized manufacturing equipment. This development effectively breaks a five-decade stagnation in US advanced fuel manufacturing, positioning the country at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technology.
Unprecedented TRISO Fuel Capacity
Once fully operational, the TX-1 plant will boast an annual production capacity of approximately 700,000 TRISO fuel pebbles. TRISO fuel consists of uranium particles encased in robust carbon-ceramic layers, designed to withstand extreme temperatures. The facility will consume about 5 metric tons of uranium annually. This substantial output is sufficient to supply 11 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors, providing a critical domestic fuel source for the next generation of nuclear energy.
Regulatory Approval and Campus Expansion
The construction milestone follows a major regulatory victory earlier in 2026, when the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted a 40-year Special Nuclear Material license for the TX-1 plant. This marks the first time an NRC Category 2 fuel fabrication license has been issued specifically for the processing of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Furthermore, TRISO-X is expanding its Oak Ridge nuclear fuel campus by approximately 70 acres. This expansion includes an extended research partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the commencement of construction on a separate R&D facility named TX-L.
The TX-1 facility will have an annual capacity of approximately 700,000 TRISO fuel pebbles, consuming about 5 metric tons of uranium annually.
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