X-energy has chosen Clark Construction Group to handle Phase 2A construction of its advanced nuclear fuel facility, TX-1, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This is a major milestone for X-energy as it proceeds with plans to produce its own in-house nuclear fuel for future reactors.
The construction contract, valued at $48.2 million, covers “Phase 2A” of the TX-1 project — the stage focused on building the core and outer shell of the 214,000-square-foot facility. That phase of construction will begin in September following site preparation, which is already underway.
TX-1 is the initial of two constructions X-energy is constructing on its Oak Ridge campus. It will produce fuel for X-energy’s new small modular reactor, the Xe-100, with the first deployment planned at a Dow Chemical plant on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Funding
In addition to the $48.2 million for its construction, X-energy has also been given a go-ahead to spend an additional $30 million of the U.S. Department of Energy’s budget to pre-purchase essential equipment and materials. This is to prevent delay time and maintain overall project timelines.
Joel Duling, TRISO-X President of fuel division at X-energy, said that this project fills a substantial gap in the US nuclear supply chain. “This plant will guarantee America has a secure, home-based fuel supply for the next generation of nuclear power,” he said.
The project was endorsed by regional and national leaders.
“Tennessee and Oak Ridge are going to continue to be at the forefront of nuclear energy,” U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty stated, forecasting the investment would bring jobs and more energy production to the area.
After installation, the TX-1 plant will be the first in the country to be licensed to manufacture this amount of fuel. It’s capable of producing as much fuel annually as would be needed to power up to 11 small reactors.
X-energy is also building a second project reactor in Washington State, alongside Energy Northwest and Amazon. These projects are part of X-energy’s broader vision to supply clean, safe, and reliable power across the U.S.
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X-energy TX-1 Nuclear Fuel Facility in Oak Ridge,: Project Factsheet
Key Project Details
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Facility Size: 214,000 square feet
Construction contract for Clark (Phase 2A): $48.2 million
Additional Equipment Budget: $30 million (U.S. Department of Energy funding)
Construction Start: September 2025
Purpose: Production of specialized nuclear fuel for small modular reactors
Project Significance
This facility becomes the first of its kind in the U.S. to receive a license for this level of fuel production.
Addresses critical gap in domestic nuclear supply chain
Annual capacity to fuel up to 11 small modular reactors
First of two planned buildings at X-energy’s Oak Ridge site
Reactor Applications
Primary Customer: Xe-100 small modular reactor
First Deployment: Dow Chemical site, Texas Gulf Coast
Additional Projects: Washington State facility (partnership with Energy Northwest and Amazon)
Key Stakeholders
General Contractor: Clark Construction Group
Fuel Division: TRISO-X (X-energy subsidiary)
Funding Partner: U.S. Department of Energy
Political Support: U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty
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