The U.S. Department of Energy issued a draft solicitation September 30 that would provide up to $12.6 billion in loan guarantees for advanced nuclear energy projects. Once finalized, these loan guarantees are expected to provide financing to help commercialize advanced nuclear energy technologies.

Authorized by Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects Solicitation would provide loan guarantees to support construction of innovative nuclear energy and front-end nuclear projects in the United States. The Department identified four key technology areas of interest in the draft solicitation: advanced nuclear reactors, small modular reactors, upgrades and uprates at existing facilities and front-end nuclear projects.

Public comment is being accepted on a range of issues during a 30-day public comment period. The draft solicitation may be found here.