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Terra Innovatum Advances NRC Licensing of SOLO™ Reactor Licensing Through Expanded Regulatory Submissions
Globenewswire· 2025-12-17 12:30
Core Insights - Terra Innovatum is making significant progress in the licensing of its SOLO™ Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) through active engagement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation nuclear deployment [1][2][3] Licensing Progress - The company has conducted over 10 face-to-face and online meetings with the NRC in the last quarter of 2025, discussing critical topics such as reactor design maturity, safety philosophy, and deployment readiness [2][3] - Terra Innovatum's licensing strategy is aligned with the NRC's regulatory framework for low-consequence reactors, which is particularly suited for the SOLO™ MMR [2][3] - The company aims to secure both construction and commercial licenses for the SOLO reactor quickly to meet demand from public and private sector off-takers [3] Regulatory Developments - The NRC is advancing a dedicated rulemaking focused on licensing requirements for microreactors, which is expected to establish a more tailored, risk-informed, and performance-based regulatory framework [3] - A draft proposed rule is anticipated to be issued for public comment by the end of February [3] Design and Safety Features - The SOLO reactor is designed to utilize commercially available Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel below 5% U-235, significantly reducing fuel qualification and supply-chain risk [5] - The reactor's safety profile allows for the elimination of an Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) beyond its operational boundary [5] - The design incorporates layered safety features, supporting a robust safety case [5] Future Plans - Terra Innovatum plans to continue structured engagement with the NRC, incorporating regulatory feedback into its licensing basis and advancing toward submission of its Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) [4] - The SOLO™ reactor is expected to be available globally within the next three years, addressing pressing global energy demands with a market-ready solution [9] Applications and Market Potential - SOLO™ will provide CO2-free power solutions for various applications, including data centers, mini-grids, and large-scale industrial operations in hard-to-abate sectors [10] - The modular design allows for scalability, enabling the delivery of up to 1GW or more of CO2-free power with a minimal footprint [10] - The reactor can also produce radioisotopes essential for oncology research and cancer treatment [10]