U.S. Could Launch Mass Production of Microreactors by 2028

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has officially accepted for review a licensing application submitted by California-based company Radiant Industries for the construction of the R-50 manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This move enables an expedited review process of eight months, compared to the standard timeframe of approximately one and a half years.

The future facility is being positioned as the world’s first factory for the serial production of microreactors. Once it reaches full capacity, it is expected to produce up to 50 units annually.

The project is based on the portable Kaleidos microreactor, which has an electrical output of 1 MW, uses air cooling, and is fueled with TRISO fuel based on high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).

Construction of the manufacturing facility is scheduled to begin in early 2026, while the first commercial deployment of the microreactors is expected in 2028.

The U.S. NRC emphasized that acceptance of the application for review indicates that the submission is sufficiently complete to proceed with a detailed technical evaluation. The regulator will further assess the plant design, safety systems, environmental considerations, and operational procedures in accordance with U.S. nuclear materials regulations.

The development of serial microreactor production in the United States could mark an important milestone for the global low-power nuclear energy market, particularly in the areas of autonomous power supply for remote locations, military infrastructure, and industrial facilities.