TRISO-X, the advanced nuclear fuel subsidiary of X-energy, has been awarded an $11 million grant by the State of Tennessee to support the expansion of its nuclear fuel manufacturing campus in Oak Ridge.
The funding, provided through Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Investment Fund, is aimed at accelerating the development of advanced nuclear fuel production infrastructure and strengthening the domestic supply chain for next-generation nuclear reactors.
The investment also reinforces Tennessee’s growing role as a center for advanced nuclear technology and manufacturing.
Construction of second commercial-scale fuel fabrication facility
The grant will support the construction of a second commercial-scale fuel fabrication facility, known as TX-2, along with a dedicated research and development laboratory, TX-L. These new facilities will be built adjacent to TX-1, TRISO-X’s first commercial nuclear fuel fabrication plant, which is currently under construction in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. Together, the three facilities will create an integrated campus designed to manufacture advanced TRISO fuel while supporting research, innovation, and future production expansion.
“This is an important step in building a world-class nuclear fuel campus capable of powering next-generation nuclear,” said Joel Duling, President of TRISO-X. “Oak Ridge stands as a cornerstone of nuclear innovation, and we are proud to carry its legacy forward with the continued support of the State of Tennessee.”
One of world’s largest commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing centers
Once fully operational, the Oak Ridge campus is expected to become one of the world’s largest commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing centers. According to the company, the expanded facilities will have the capacity to produce enough TRISO fuel to support approximately 55 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors, generating nearly 4.5 gigawatts of clean electricity. That amount of power would be sufficient to supply electricity to an estimated 3.3 million homes across the United States, highlighting the strategic importance of the project in meeting future energy demands.
The expansion is also expected to generate significant economic benefits for Tennessee. The project is projected to create more than 1,000 permanent, high-quality jobs while attracting additional investment to the state’s growing nuclear energy sector. State officials have described the initiative as an important step toward strengthening America’s advanced nuclear manufacturing capabilities and ensuring a secure domestic supply of nuclear fuel for emerging reactor technologies.
The announcement follows another major milestone for TRISO-X earlier this year, when the company received a 40-year Special Nuclear Material License from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The license authorizes commercial production of TRISO fuel using high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and covers both the existing TX-1 facility and the planned TX-2 expansion. This regulatory approval positions the company to support the deployment of advanced reactors across the United States as demand for clean, reliable, and carbon-free energy continues to grow.
TRISO fuel is considered one of the most advanced nuclear fuel technologies currently available. Each fuel particle is encapsulated in multiple layers of ceramic and carbon materials, allowing it to withstand extremely high temperatures while enhancing safety and performance. These characteristics make TRISO fuel particularly well suited for advanced reactor designs that are expected to provide electricity, industrial heat, and energy for rapidly expanding sectors such as data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
With the support of the Tennessee government and the U.S. Department of Energy, the expansion of TRISO-X’s Oak Ridge campus marks a significant milestone in the development of the nation’s advanced nuclear energy ecosystem. By increasing domestic fuel production capacity and supporting next-generation reactor deployment, the project is expected to play an important role in strengthening U.S. energy security, promoting clean energy innovation, and reinforcing the country’s leadership in advanced nuclear technology.