Louisiana is becoming a test bed for advanced nuclear energy. ONE Nuclear Energy recently announced further steps for its small modular reactor project planned for the state, called Project Amberjack.

In addition to Project Amberjack, the company is in the middle of getting a 2.88-gigawatt Project Cayman off the ground. This project focuses on a mix of energy sources, while Amberjack is focused on advanced nuclear power.

Moving from the Design Phase to the Field

A rendering of the SMR project in Louisiana; Photo: ONE Nuclear Energy

Project Amberjack is designed as a standalone campus SMRs that the company says will eventually generate up to 1 gigawatt of power.

ONE Nuclear already has land for the site, as well as initial screening, basic designs, and environmental checks. Theses phases showcase how the advanced nuclear project is working its way into a reality.

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“Following our recent Project Cayman announcement, securing the Amberjack site reinforces our commitment to advancing scalable energy projects within our wider Louisiana Platform, in a state that is actively positioning itself to lead America’s nuclear renaissance,” said Chris Hansmeyer, Chief Development Officer of ONE Nuclear.

SMR Projects and More

Despite securing the land, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has yet to approve the plant, a process that takes time and requires significant data. ONE Nuclear is currently entering the pre-application phase and will study the local soil, groundwater, and environmental conditions. Additionally, it will determine cooling water options, power grid connections, and different SMR designs.

Now, ONE Nuclear is entering the pre-application phase. Teams will study local soil, groundwater, and environmental conditions. They will also look at cooling water options, power grid connections, and different SMR designs from tech vendors.

In addition to SMRs, the company builds energy projects around local grid needs, combining nuclear with natural gas, solar, and battery storage.