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Business

AEP, Amazon and X-energy explore 960 MW advanced nuclear project in Indiana

American Electric Power has signed a joint development agreement with X-energy to study a 960 MW small-modular-reactor project at a former Indiana coal plant, with Amazon funding the work and intending to buy the power under a long-term contract.

By Priya Raman · · 1 min read

Gibson Generating Station coal plant in Indiana; the project would repurpose a similar former coal-plant site in Sullivan County, Indiana, for a 960 MW advanced nuclear facility
Mrzaius, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

American Electric Power (AEP) has signed a joint development agreement with X-energy to evaluate the feasibility of a 960-megawatt advanced nuclear project at a former coal-plant site in Sullivan County, Indiana, the companies announced on Monday.

The project would use 12 of X-energy’s Xe-100 small modular reactors, each generating 80 MW, for a combined capacity of 960 MW, at the former site of Indiana Michigan Power’s Breed Generating Station. Amazon is supporting the development through a funding agreement and intends to purchase the facility’s electricity under a long-term contract, covering the costs of the facility and its operations for the duration of the contract.

The announcement, issued from Columbus, Ohio on 19 October, stresses that the project remains at the feasibility stage: construction can begin only after a final investment decision, and nothing has yet been built. AEP said the development and funding agreements are designed to provide financial safeguards to protect Indiana Michigan Power customers from project costs.

AEP chairman and chief executive Bill Fehrman said the plan was designed “to help meet unprecedented growth in energy demand with reliable baseload power while protecting affordability for existing customers”.

If the project advances to construction and commercial operation, AEP said it would create jobs, expand the local tax base and strengthen Indiana’s energy infrastructure for more than 60 years. Sullivan County recently joined Indiana’s Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program.

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