U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Developments - Advanced Reactor Criticality and Supply Chain Support

Deployable Energy's demonstration reactor, Unity, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at Idaho National Laboratory through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative. Unity is the third DOE-authorized advanced reactor to achieve criticality in June 2026, following Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 and Valar Atomics' Ward 250 reactors under DOE's Reactor Pilot Program, each representing unique advanced reactor concepts.

Additionally, DOE's Office of Energy Dominance Financing announced a conditional commitment of up to $17.5 billion in financing through its American Nuclear Supply Chain Loans program to strengthen domestic nuclear manufacturing and accelerate deployment of new large-scale nuclear power plants. The financing would support the early purchase of long-lead components-defined as "complex components of a nuclear power plant that require the longest time for manufacturing and delivery"-that are often among the largest cost and schedule constraints for new nuclear projects. DOE estimates the approach could reduce construction costs and shorten project timelines by as much as three years.

The proposed financing would support up to five projects, with each loan supporting two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors per site, for a total of 10 new reactors capable of powering nearly 10 million homes. Through bulk purchasing arrangements, Westinghouse and participating utilities would procure key components to help rebuild U.S. nuclear manufacturing capacity while reducing costs. The financing remains conditional and is subject to technical, legal, environmental, and financial requirements before final agreements are executed.