The collaboration formalised through the non-binding agreement establishes a framework to jointly evaluate customer demand, candidate sites, and possible commercial structures for potential dual-unit SMR-300 projects. The objective is to identify commercially viable opportunities where advanced nuclear may be able to support economic growth while strengthening long-term grid reliability and energy security.
"The initiative reflects accelerating demand for reliable, carbon-free baseload power to support expanding industrial facilities, advanced manufacturing, and AI-driven data centres throughout the US Gulf South," Holtec said.
Entergy and its affiliates operate one of the USA's largest fleets of nuclear power plants and electric utility systems serving customers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. Together, the parties will evaluate whether, and if so where, SMR-300 deployment may best meet future customer demand while complementing Entergy's long-term resource planning and generation portfolio.
A two-unit plant based on Holtec's SMR-300 (Image: Holtec)
If pursued, SMR-300 projects would be delivered through Holtec's integrated Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) platform with Hyundai E&C, providing a single, accountable delivery model from manufacturing through to commissioning. Holtec leads reactor technology, nuclear systems, manufacturing, and nuclear procurement, while Hyundai E&C leads balance-of-plant engineering, procurement, and construction. A jointly managed project office integrates project controls and execution to provide unified project leadership throughout development and construction.
"This collaboration represents another important step in Holtec's strategy to commercialise the SMR-300 through strategic utility partnerships and its integrated delivery platform with Hyundai E&C and provides Entergy an opportunity to evaluate advanced nuclear as part of its broader, long-term resource planning considerations," Holtec said. "As electricity demand accelerates across the United States, the collaboration establishes a pathway for the parties to assess where advanced nuclear may be needed to support industrial growth, AI infrastructure, grid reliability, and long-term energy security."
Holtec has been developing its SMR unit since 2011. The SMR-300 is a pressurised water reactor producing about 300 MW of electrical power or 1050 MW of thermal power for process applications. It plans to deploy two SMR-300 reactors - named Pioneer 1 and 2 - at the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station site in Michigan, demonstrating viability for additional orders both domestically and abroad. The construction permit application is currently under review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with pre-construction work taking place at the site.
Last year, Utah nuclear services company Hi Tech Solutions signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Holtec and the State of Utah covering collaboration to support the deployment of Holtec's SMR-300 in Utah and the broader Mountain West region. In May this year, Fulcrum Point Holdings - an affiliate of Hi Tech Solutions - and Blue Castle Holdings formed a joint venture to take Blue Castle's project to build a nuclear power plant at Green River in Utah through the next stages of site development, licensing, and eventual reactor deployment, using Holtec's SMR-300 technology.
In June, Holtec and France-based EDF submitted a joint proposal for up to four SMR-300 small modular reactors at the Cottam power plant site in Nottinghamshire in the UK. The two companies also signed Heads of Terms to establish a joint venture to advance the project at the former coal power station site.
Holtec announced in December 2025 a memorandum of understanding with Hungary's energy giant MVM to explore the deployment of SMR-300 small modular reactor technology in the country.
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