Applied Atomics, which develops, builds and operates small modular nuclear power plants, is building its headquarters in New Orleans. John Fleig, the chief innovation officer with the Louisiana Economic Development Department, says the facility will be in the Bywater neighborhood, and it will include a training demonstration system that will be operational early next year.
“I think it’s a speed-to-market thing for start-ups in this space. They’ve got to prove that they can deploy their technology and get rolling quickly; they’re on the clock,” Fleig said.
The company, which was founded last year, is expected to create 41 new direct jobs. Fleig says the project shows what’s possible when Louisiana uses its energy and industrial expertise with companies developing what comes next.
“In Louisiana, if we’re going to continue to have an energy economy for the next 100 years, we have to make sure that we have new players in place, whether it’s these small modular reactors,” Fleig noted.
There’s a demand for small nuclear power plants to provide the power needed to run data centers and other facilities that need a lot of energy to operate. Feig says Applied Atomics’ investment builds on Louisiana’s broader strategy to expand its role in the nuclear energy industry.
“We have to make sure that we’re an open and welcoming state for these new companies; that we can support them with capital investments, with coaching, with connections to large load users; whether it’s a data center or an industrial operation along the river,” Fleig explained.
Applied Atomics headquarters is not a nuclear power generation site, and no radioactive materials will be handled, processed or stored at the facility.
Comments