US-based independent nuclear project developer Elementl Power intends to construct a nuclear power plant in Southeast Ohio that will feature a total generation capacity of 1.5 gigawatts. 

“Nuclear projects are substantial economic anchors for their communities, and with a proud industrial legacy, southeast Ohio brings the foundation and workforce needed for a project of this magnitude,” said Chris Colbert, Chairman and CEO of Elementl.

As part of the initial stages of this project, the company recently submitted a formal application to PJM Interconnection. This request seeks permission to link the first 600 megawatts of electricity generated by the facility directly into the regional transmission network. PJM Interconnection will evaluate the details of this grid connection proposal and intends to provide an official response before the end of the current year.

The proposed site covers nearly 700 acres of land within Letart Township, located in Meigs County. Positioned along the Ohio River, the property sits roughly 100 miles southeast of Columbus. “Elementl has agreed to purchase the site from American Municipal Power (AMP),” remarked the company in a press release.

Deploying BWRX-300 small modular reactors

To supply the necessary technology for the facility, Elementl finalized an Early Works Agreement with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Under this contract, the developer will deploy BWRX-300 small modular reactors, designating the Ohio installation as one of the earliest commercial small modular reactor initiatives in the United States.

“GE Vernova Hitachi is a proven, global leader in nuclear technology, and we’re pleased to partner with them to deploy their advanced BWRX-300 reactor at this site,” noted Colbert.

This selection follows previous organizational developments by Elementl in the nuclear sector. In 2025, the Tennessee Valley Authority chose to cooperate with Elementl to push forward the installation of a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 unit at the Clinch River site in Tennessee. 

That same arrangement aimed to accelerate the construction of further reactor units in coordination with Indiana Michigan Power and Elementl.

Anticipated completion date of 2034

“Construction on the first unit is expected to begin in 2030, subject to a final investment decision and regulatory approvals, with an anticipated completion date of 2034,” concluded the press release.

Elementl intends to fund the entire cost of the proposed facility independently through private capital channels. If the plant moves forward to the construction stage, the expenditures will not be recovered through local electric utility customer rates or consumer bills. 

However, the completion of the facility depends entirely on receiving formal regulatory approvals from multiple state and federal government entities. These authorities include the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission alongside the Ohio Power Siting Board, both of which must review the environmental and safety profiles of the plant.

On a broader scale, Elementl maintains a corporate strategy to facilitate the addition of more than 100 gigawatts of carbon-free electricity to the United States power grid by the year 2050. The company utilizes a development approach that structures projects specifically to limit the initial capital exposure and execution risks faced by its partners.

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