Oklo, the advanced nuclear firm, has just inked a significant Interface Agreement (IAG) with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a move that could reshape the nuclear energy landscape. This agreement is more than just a regulatory milestone; it’s a bold step towards the deployment of Oklo’s first commercial Aurora powerhouse, a compact passive fast-spectrum reactor, by late 2027. The IAG, a detailed operational agreement, ensures that environmental regulations are meticulously implemented during the site investigation process. This isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about setting a precedent for responsible and sustainable nuclear development.
Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse, derived from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II), is no ordinary reactor. It’s a vertically oriented, compact design that uses liquid metal as a coolant and high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) metallic uranium-zirconium fuel. The company has recently uprated its design’s capacity offerings to 15 MWe and 100 MWe, showcasing its ambition and technological prowess. But Oklo isn’t just about pushing technological boundaries; it’s also about pushing regulatory ones. The IAG follows a memorandum of agreement (MoA) finalized in September 2024 with the DOE’s Idaho Operations Office, granting Oklo access to conduct site investigations. These agreements are crucial regulatory and procedural frameworks that will allow Oklo to transition from conceptual planning to actual site characterization and development activities.
Oklo’s proactive strategy is designed to minimize potential delays and risks, keeping the project on track for its targeted construction timeline. This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about ensuring that the project maintains momentum while adhering to environmental and regulatory requirements. Oklo has worked closely with INL and the DOE to prepare for site characterization work, including comprehensive cultural and biological surveys conducted in partnership with local Shoshone Bannock Tribes. This collaborative approach is not just about compliance; it’s about respect and responsibility.
The IAG and MoA mark more incremental progress for Oklo’s commercial Aurora project at INL, which formally kicked off in 2019 when the DOE awarded the company a site use permit. The proposed reactor is expected to occupy about 2 acres of a 40-acre site located south of INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex. But Oklo’s ambitions don’t stop at this single site. The company is developing a suite of nuclear solutions under a “full value chain” approach, involving managing smaller reactors’ design, build, and operation through power purchase agreements (PPAs). Oklo has already secured a customer pipeline of 2.1 GW, including agreements with major data center operators like Prometheus and Hyperscale. In December 2024, it partnered with Switch, a Las Vegas-based data center designer, builder, and operator, to deploy 12 GW of Aurora powerhouses through 2044. This historic deal is a testament to Oklo’s unique position in the market, with a DOE-approved site, secured fuel, and regulatory traction for deploying a commercial advanced powerhouse.
But Oklo’s journey is far from over. The company is preparing its Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA), with submission to the DOE targeted for mid-2025, followed by the Documented Safety Analysis, a key regulatory requirement before operational licensing. Oklo is also trailblazing in fuel recycling, seeking to convert spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from light water reactors (LWRs) to usable metallic HALEU fuel. This isn’t just about innovation; it’s about sustainability and the future of nuclear energy.
Oklo’s progress is a challenge to the status quo, a spark for debate, and a catalyst for change. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when ambition meets responsibility, when innovation meets regulation, and when technology meets sustainability. The nuclear energy sector is watching, and the world is waiting. Oklo’s journey is just beginning, but it’s already shaping the future of nuclear energy.
