Rockville, Md.-based X-energy, American Electric Power (AEP) and Amazon have signed a joint agreement to develop a 960-megawatt small modular reactor (SMR) project in Indiana.
Using X-energy’s Xe-100 SMR, X-energy and AEP will pursue feasibility studies for the SMR at the former coal site, Breeding Generation Station, in Sullivan County, Ind. The two companies plan to construct 12 Xe-100 units there, taking on a redevelopment project similar to what TerraPower is doing at a former coal site in Kemmerer, Wyo. for its Natrium reactor.
According to X-energy’s Monday press release, Amazon will provide funding for certain aspects of the project. This new project falls under the same agreement X-energy and Amazon made in 2024 where both companies agreed to work with Energy Northwest to build SMRs in Washington state. That deal aims to build more than 5,000 megawatts of new nuclear energy by 2039.
“This partnership brings together the experience, ambition, and innovation needed to move a project of this significance forward,” X-energy CEO Clay Sell said in the release. “AEP’s 50 years of excellence in nuclear operations, combined with the world-class expertise of Amazon and technology of X-energy, are poised to chart a new course for Indiana’s energy future.”
X-energy’s Xe-100 SMR is a high-temperature gas-cooled SMR that uses helium as a coolant and is powered by tri-structural isotropic – or TRISO – fuel. X-energy has its construction permit application under review with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a four-SMR unit plant project in Texas.
For Indiana, this advances the state’s interest in advanced nuclear energy, particularly for SMRs. In 2025, the Indiana state government approved legislation for SMR development costs in Senate Bill 424, and a SMR pilot program that would allow up to two SMRs to be deployed through Senate Bill 423.
“The decision by I&M/AEP, Amazon and X-energy to explore this technology in one of Indiana’s counties represents the kind of innovation and investment that can deliver lasting benefits for our state,” Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) said in the release. “This project has the potential to create well-paying jobs in Sullivan County, strengthen our electric grid and further position Indiana as a national leader in advanced nuclear energy.”
