X Energy, LLC and a subsidiary of Southern Nuclear Operating Company have entered into a memorandum of understanding as a step toward commercializing and deploying X-energy's High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor: the Xe-100. The Xe-100 reactor series will produce zero-emission energy around the clock to ensure reliable electricity that can be adapted to a variety of markets. This collaboration aims to make available an additional nuclear solution that supports the global clean energy movement.  

"We are thrilled to have Southern Nuclear involved with our project," said X-energy CEO Dr. Kam Ghaffarian. "I founded X-energy in 2009 out of a desire to make a significant and lasting contribution to clean energy generation in the U.S. and around the world. This relationship firmly puts us on that path."

In early 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy separately issued X-energy and the Southern Company-TerraPower partnership each with five-year Advanced Reactor Concept Cooperative Agreement awards. The X-energy award focuses on: furtherance of reactor design; fuel development; and initial licensing activities.

"Our relationship with X-energy builds upon the DOE awards we each received and puts the industry on a strong path to providing clean and safe nuclear energy for generations to come," said Stephen Kuczynski, Chairman, President and CEO, Southern Nuclear. "We understand fully the time and manpower it will take to bring the first advanced reactor to market and feel confident that pursuing this goal together will best leverage our combined research and commercial operation experience to do so."