BWX Technologies has licensed its mPower modular reactor technology to Applied Atomics for the commercial development and deployment of land-based nuclear facilities in the United States, Canada, and other regions. The agreement positions the companies to address rising domestic electricity demand, particularly from data center construction requiring significant new power capacity. Under the terms, Applied Atomics holds exclusive rights to use the mPower technology, while BWXT retains ownership of the intellectual property, exclusive manufacturing rights for all components, and royalty rights for components produced by Applied Atomics or third parties.

The mPower reactor is designed as an integral pressurized light water reactor capable of generating 195 megawatts of electricity and 575 MWth of heat per unit. Its manufacturing process involves factory fabrication and shipping via conventional transportation. The design features an integrated steam generator that eliminates primary coolant piping, a modification intended to remove the loss of coolant accident (LOCA) failure mode associated with traditional reactors. The system utilizes standard low enriched uranium fuel and is engineered for a refueling cycle of at least two years.

"BWXT spent a decade working to design mPower. Our job is to complete its development then design and deploy the first optimized, vertically integrated SMR power plant," said Benjamin Kellie, CEO of Applied Atomics. The company has identified dedicated industrial and technology sector power supply as the primary initial market, leveraging the modular plant design for behind-the-meter and campus-scale configurations.

Strategic Context and Selection

The partnership emerges as industry analysts project the need for more than 300 gigawatts of new power capacity in the United States by 2035. BWXT preserved the mPower engineering archive and test facilities after suspending the program in 2017. The selection of Applied Atomics was based on criteria including capital commitment, funding capability, deployment intent, nuclear safety culture alignment, market positioning, and the founder's track record in commercializing technologies.

Licensing and Deployment Plans

Applied Atomics plans to re-engage the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to resume mPower design certification activities and develop site-specific engineering for initial commercial deployments. The company will also contract with BWXT to receive technical support throughout the licensing process.