Blue Energy has submitted the first part of its construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor planned in Victoria, Texas. The filing moves the project into the NRC construction review process and supports Blue Energy’s plan to develop a larger fleet of these reactors in the United States.
The proposed reactor is part of Blue Energy’s gas-plus-nuclear project at the Port of Victoria. The company plans to combine GE Vernova 7HA.02 gas turbines with BWRX-300 small modular reactors as part of its power generation model.
The BWRX-300 is a small modular reactor developed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Blue Energy selected the reactor for its Texas project earlier in 2026 and has since been working with GE Vernova Hitachi on engineering and licensing activities.
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The NRC filing is an important regulatory step because companies must receive approval before they can construct nuclear facilities in the United States. Blue Energy is taking a phased approach and plans to submit the remaining part of its application in 2027.
The second part of the application will follow one year of site-specific data collection required by the NRC. This information helps regulators and project developers understand conditions at the proposed location before construction decisions are made.
The Texas project is designed around a combination of natural gas and nuclear power. Blue Energy plans to use GE Vernova gas turbines alongside BWRX-300 reactors, creating a system that brings both technologies into the same development.
GE Vernova Hitachi is supporting the project with technical information and engineering work related to the reactor. The companies also signed a project acceleration agreement in April 2026 to advance the deployment of BWRX-300 reactors and GE Vernova gas turbines at the Texas site.
The project is not yet under construction. It must still complete the NRC review process and meet the required regulatory, engineering and site requirements. Blue Energy also needs to complete the remaining application materials before the full construction permit process can advance further.
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The Texas filing follows another BWRX-300 project in the United States. The Tennessee Valley Authority has submitted a construction permit application for a BWRX-300 at its Clinch River site in Tennessee, where the NRC review is moving toward a decision.
BWRX-300 development is also progressing in Canada. Ontario Power Generation is constructing the first BWRX-300 reactor at its Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario. These projects are providing experience in licensing, engineering, manufacturing and supply chains that could support future BWRX-300 deployments.
For Blue Energy, the latest filing is part of a wider plan to make new nuclear projects more repeatable and easier to deploy. The company says its approach combines project development, construction and off-site fabrication with established reactor technology.
The NRC review will be a key part of determining how the Texas project progresses. If the required approvals and development steps are completed, the project could become another major U.S. deployment of the BWRX-300 and add to the experience being built around small modular reactor technology.
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