X-energy has expanded its nuclear fuel production base in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, by acquiring an additional 70 acres of land. The purchase boosts the site’s total area to over 180 acres, offering more room for the company to build new facilities, improve storage capabilities, and scale up fuel production.
This expansion is part of X-energy’s broader strategy to support its growing ambitions in the field of advanced nuclear technologies. The company has already started construction on its first commercial fuel facility, named TX-1, and the new land will accommodate utility corridors, equipment staging areas, and additional fuel storage. These upgrades will help meet increasing demand for high-performance nuclear fuel in the U.S. and other allied markets.
Facility plans and fuel goals
Looking ahead, X-energy and its subsidiary TRISO-X are planning to construct two more key facilities at the expanded campus. The first, TX-2, will serve as a second commercial fuel production plant. The second, TX-L, will focus on research and development, enabling the company to innovate continuously and refine its nuclear fuel technologies.
By consolidating these functions under one roof, TRISO-X aims to streamline operations and establish a centralized hub for both production and research. This approach will help the company respond quickly to technological advancements and market needs, especially as it develops fuel for use in the Xe-100 small modular reactor, a next-generation power plant.
According to Joel Duling, President of TRISO-X, the acquisition marks a pivotal step in the company’s long-term vision. He stated that the expansion allows TRISO-X to “better plan for long-term development” and “expand our vision for the world’s leading nuclear innovation campus.”
A decade of progress in Tennessee
The Oak Ridge site has been a key part of X-energy’s operations since 2016. Over the past decade, the company has developed a pilot fuel production line at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which has been critical to advancing its TRISO fuel technology. TRISO fuel is a type of advanced nuclear fuel designed to operate at very high temperatures, making it ideal for future reactor designs.
In addition to lab-based development, the company is currently running irradiation tests for its fuel at Idaho National Laboratory. These tests are a vital part of the certification process for the Xe-100 reactor, which is being designed for use in commercial power generation. The progress made in Oak Ridge and Idaho has helped X-energy reach important regulatory and technical milestones.
TRISO-X has already received the first commercial license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for HALEU fuel fabrication, a significant achievement in the nuclear energy field. This license confirms the company’s ability to manufacture fuel at scale, which is essential for the next phase of reactor deployment.
Funding and regional impact
The expansion is being supported by a grant awarded in July 2026 by Governor Bill Lee’s Nuclear Energy Fund. The funding will go toward constructing the new facilities and research center, as well as toward ongoing development efforts at the Oak Ridge site. This financial boost is expected to help the company meet its ambitious growth targets while also benefiting the local economy.
Beyond supporting company operations, the project is projected to create jobs and generate economic activity in Roane and Anderson counties. The state of Tennessee has a strong history in nuclear technology, and the expansion will contribute to maintaining and strengthening that legacy. The addition of high-tech jobs and research infrastructure will further diversify the region’s industrial base.
For X-energy, the larger facility is ultimately about building the physical capacity needed to move from pilot-scale production to large-scale commercial operations. The expanded campus will bring together all aspects of the company’s nuclear fuel production chain—from fabrication and storage to testing and research—in a single location. This integration will create a more efficient and scalable foundation for the company’s reactor projects.
Once completed, the campus will serve as a flagship for TRISO-X and X-energy’s efforts to lead the next generation of nuclear energy. By consolidating operations and expanding its facilities, the company is preparing to meet the growing demand for safe, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions.