A Milestone in Nuclear Infrastructure

X-energy has successfully concluded the vertical construction of its TX-1 facility, a cutting-edge nuclear fuel manufacturing plant situated in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This 214,000-square-foot project, spearheaded by the company's subsidiary, TRISO-X, serves as the first commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel plant developed within the United States in over half a century. Clark Construction Group, the lead contractor, managed this phase, successfully paving the way for the upcoming installation of specialized interior systems and manufacturing equipment.


Understanding TRISO Fuel Technology

The facility is designed to produce TRISO fuel, which consists of miniature uranium particles encased in robust ceramic and carbon-based layers. This unique structural composition ensures the fuel can contain fission products effectively and remain stable under extreme temperatures that far exceed the limits of traditional nuclear fuel types.


Once the plant reaches its full operational capacity, it is expected to generate approximately 700,000 TRISO fuel pebbles per year. This output will require about 5 metric tons of uranium annually, providing sufficient energy to support up to 11 of X-energy’s advanced Xe-100 reactor modules. Each Xe-100 module is designed to output 80 megawatts of power, with a standard power plant configuration typically utilizing four such units to achieve 320 megawatts.


Strategic Goals and Future Deployment

The TX-1 facility is set to provide the essential fuel for X-energy's inaugural Xe-100 project at the Dow UCC Seadrift Operations site in Texas. Joel Duling, president of TRISO-X, noted the achievement, stating: «Completing vertical construction is a major milestone for TX-1 and another tangible demonstration of the progress our team is making in Oak Ridge».


Looking ahead, the development roadmap includes:

  • Installation of specialized processing equipment and finalization of an administration building.
  • The development of an adjacent graphite matrix powder facility.
  • The establishment of a new research and development site, TX-L, alongside a renewed partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Regulatory Progress and Market Expansion

Earlier this year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a 40-year license for the plant, marking the first time the commission has granted a Category 2 fuel fabrication license for processing high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Beyond the Dow partnership, X-energy is actively engaging with partners such as Amazon, Energy Northwest, and Centrica to facilitate further deployments of Xe-100 reactors.


While the completion of the main structure is a vital achievement, the site is not yet ready for full-scale manufacturing. The company must still commission various internal systems and integrate specialized production machinery. Although an official operational date remains unannounced, the project represents a critical move toward establishing a domestic supply chain for advanced reactor fuel, ultimately reducing U.S. dependence on foreign uranium sources.