US Army Awards $2.2 Billion For Nuclear Microreactors At Military Bases

The US Army has awarded $2.2 billion in contracts to five companies to develop and operate small nuclear reactors, known as microreactors, at military bases. The first reactor is targeted for deployment by September 2028 and could generate up to 20 megawatts of power. The programme aims to improve energy security and reduce military dependence on vulnerable civilian power grids. However, critics warn that microreactors could be costly and carry nuclear safety and security risks. The Army says safety regulations will be followed and radioactive waste will be removed rather than stored permanently at military installations.

The United States Army has announced plans to spend $2.2 billion (€1.7 billion) on contracts with five companies to develop, build and operate small nuclear reactors at military installations.
The programme, known as Janus, aims to deploy the first reactor by September 2028 and provide military bases with a reliable source of electricity that is less dependent on civilian power grids.

MICROREACTORS TO PROVIDE UP TO 20 MEGAWATTS

The planned reactors, known as microreactors, are designed to be smaller and more transportable than conventional nuclear power plants.
Developers say each unit could generate up to 20 megawatts of electricity, potentially providing continuous power for military installations and other critical facilities.
Army officials said the reactors would be required to comply with environmental and safety standards that apply to commercial nuclear facilities.
However, unlike commercial reactors, the military installations would be regulated by the US Army rather than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

MILITARY SEEKS GREATER ENERGY SECURITY

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the programme would help the military provide reliable baseload electricity directly to its installations.
Officials argue that reducing dependence on external electricity networks could make military bases more resilient during power disruptions, cyberattacks, natural disasters or other emergencies.
Army energy officials also see the project as a potential pathway toward wider commercial use of microreactors.
Jeff Waksman, a senior Army energy official, said the long-term objective was to develop a commercially viable nuclear technology that could eventually serve customers outside the military.

COMPANIES SEE COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

The companies involved also expect the military programme to help accelerate development of the emerging microreactor industry.
Radiant's Chief Commercial Officer Mike Starrett said the project could help the company expand its technology for future commercial customers, including data centres.
BWXT Chief Executive Rex Geveden described the programme as a potential route toward deployable nuclear power.
The growing demand for electricity from data centres and other energy-intensive industries has increased interest in smaller nuclear technologies as a possible source of reliable, low-carbon power.

CRITICS WARN OF HIGH COSTS

Despite the Army's support, microreactors face significant criticism.
Opponents argue that the technology could be considerably more expensive than conventional nuclear plants and other low-carbon energy sources.
Safety advocates also warn that nuclear facilities carry risks associated with accidents, radioactive material and potential attacks.
Alan J. Kuperman of the University of Texas at Austin argued that the military's large budget could effectively subsidise nuclear companies whose technologies have yet to attract enough private-sector customers.
Army officials acknowledge that microreactors are not expected to be cheaper than conventional power plants at the outset.
Instead, Waksman said the Janus programme is intended partly to determine how the cost of the technology can eventually be reduced.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE REMAINS A KEY ISSUE

The handling of radioactive waste is another important part of the programme.
Waksman said the Army is working with the US Department of Energy on an arrangement for removing radioactive waste from the military installations.
According to the Army, the bases would not be used for long-term storage of the waste.
The issue is significant because the expansion of nuclear power in the United States continues to face questions over where radioactive waste should ultimately be stored.
Last month, five US states offered to accept nuclear waste in exchange for federal support for developing nuclear energy facilities.

A TEST FOR MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR POWER

The Janus programme represents a major investment in a technology that remains largely unproven at commercial scale.
For the US military, microreactors could provide greater energy independence and protect critical installations from disruptions to civilian electricity networks.
For the nuclear industry, the programme could provide an important opportunity to demonstrate the technology and develop a pathway into commercial markets.
However, the cost, safety, regulation, waste management and security risks will remain major issues as the Army moves toward its target of deploying the first reactor by 2028.