Gone Fission: Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Boom

©Journal Communications/Bethany Anderson

Tennessee is emerging as a prime location for nuclear energy companies thanks to a strategic trifecta: the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Fund, the expertise of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the focus on nuclear education at key universities, community colleges and technical training centers. 

This combination of financial support, world-class research and a skilled workforce pipeline makes Tennessee attractive for innovation and investment in the nuclear energy sector. 

Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Type One Energy Group: Fusion Energy Research in East Tennessee

Type One Energy Group, a fusion energy company, will establish its headquarters and research and development facilities in East Tennessee as part of a $223.5 million investment that will create 330 jobs. 

The organization plans to build its stellarator fusion prototype machine at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton. The Infinity One prototype will pave the way for a future Fusion Pilot Plant and could serve as a long-term national fusion research facility. 

This project marks the first use of the Nuclear Energy Fund. The fund was established in the state’s 2023-24 budget to promote nuclear development. The $50 million Nuclear Energy Fund, managed by the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (TNECD), supports the state’s nuclear industry ecosystem by providing grants and assistance to nuclear power-related businesses. 

Kurt Weiss/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Orano USA: A Historic Investment in Uranium Enrichment

Orano USA is the second company to utilize the Nuclear Energy Fund. In what will be the largest single investment in Tennessee history, Orano plans to build a multibillion-dollar, state-of-the-art centrifuge uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge. 

The uranium enrichment center will be a multi-structure commercial production site spanning approximately 750,000 square feet. It will make it one of the largest in North America.. Facility operations are expected to create more than 300 new direct jobs in Roane County. 

Orano is a leading technology and services provider for the commercial and federal nuclear industries. The company specializes in various aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, used nuclear fuel management and recycling, decommissioning shutdown nuclear energy facilities, federal site clean-up and closure, and developing nuclear medicines to fight cancer. 

“The warm welcome, responsive engagement and established nuclear energy community in Oak Ridge, as well as access to continuous and stable power, have been key factors for this site selection,” Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO and president of Orano USA, said in a statement. 

Steven Bridges/University of Tennessee

Workforce Training

The Nuclear Energy Fund also supports education and training programs at universities and research institutions to develop a strong workforce for the state’s nuclear industry. 

The University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, used the funds to establish a new program allowing non-nuclear engineers to obtain a minor in nuclear engineering. This program provides valuable specialized knowledge to engineers who may be working in the nuclear field but haven’t completed a full nuclear engineering degree. 

Roane State Community College received funding to purchase laboratory equipment for its inaugural nuclear technology program that was launched in the fall of 2024. The investment will provide hands-on training and practical skills to students entering the nuclear workforce. 

“The nuclear renaissance is real here in East Tennessee, and this region will lead the country in developing a clean, reliable source of power for the future,” says Dr. Chris Whaley, president of Roane State Community College. 

Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

ORNL is a Hub for Nuclear Innovation

The proximity of UT Knoxville, Roane State and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) creates a powerful synergy. With some of the world’s most powerful reactors and research facilities, ORNL has a rich history of pioneering advancements in nuclear materials science, reactor design, space applications, nuclear security, nuclear medicine and isotope production. 

“Our nation is investing today in affordable and reliable carbon-free energy technologies, like small modular reactors and fusion energy demonstrations, to power the world and to maintain economic competitiveness in global markets,” says Stephen Streiffer, director of ORNL. 

“Tennessee has long been home to the development, design and application of nuclear energy technologies that benefit the region and the nation,” Streiffer says. “ORNL’s world-leading researchers, integrated capabilities and strong partnerships across the energy sector contribute to the nuclear energy innovation we see today. Tennessee is continuing this legacy of energy leadership by pursuing market-ready technologies to power the world for generations to come.”