PartnershipApr 30, 2026, 05:44 PM
XE, LG&E/KU Partner to Explore Xe-100 SMR Deployment in Kentucky
AI Summary
X-energy, Inc. and PPL Corporation subsidiaries Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) Company are collaborating to explore deploying X-energy's Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR) in Kentucky. This initiative aims to meet growing energy demand with long-term, reliable, clean energy, supporting grid reliability and large load customers like data centers. The collaboration follows recent legislative and regulatory support for nuclear energy in Kentucky, including a $75 million grant initiative for nuclear site readiness.
Key Highlights
- XE and LG&E/KU are exploring Xe-100 SMR deployment in Kentucky.
- Kentucky's Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program includes a $75M grant.
- Three projects can receive up to $25M each from the grant initiative.
- Xe-100 SMR is an 80 MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.
- Xe-100 plants can be 4-unit (320 MWe) or 12-unit (gigawatt-scale).
- X-energy is developing over 11 GW of new nuclear capacity across projects.