Oklo selects constructor for first Aurora powerhouse

Under a newly-executed Master Services Agreement, Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co - a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation - will begin to support the design, procurement, and construction of the Aurora-INL, with pre-construction expected to begin later this year and commercial operations targeted for late 2027 to early 2028.

Oklo said it selected Kiewit through a competitive process that evaluated both technical capabilities and construction expertise. Because a significant portion of the Aurora powerhouse's construction scope is non-nuclear, Oklo said it can leverage Kiewit's extensive experience in delivering large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects.

"This approach is designed to accelerate delivery timelines, reduce costs, and uphold standards of safety and quality, underscoring Oklo's commitment to the efficient, pragmatic deployment of advanced nuclear technology," the company said.

"We've completed key pre-construction milestones, including site characterisation work in Idaho, in partnership with the US Department of Energy and Idaho National Laboratory," said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo. "Kiewit brings the execution strength and project delivery experience that are essential as we move into this next phase.

"This is a critical step in helping us build efficiently and deliver clean energy on a meaningful timeline. Advanced reactors will largely be able to be constructed differently than legacy plants, and a key pathway to realising the economic benefits associated with that is to modernise how we design, procure, and build these plants."

Kiewit Nuclear Solutions President Mike Rinehart added: "We're excited to support Oklo in delivering one of the nation's first commercial advanced nuclear projects. As a leading design engineering, procurement, and construction partner with decades of experience in complex energy infrastructure, Kiewit is well positioned to help bring Oklo's innovative vision to life. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions through disciplined execution, safety, and delivery certainty."

The Aurora powerhouse is a fast neutron reactor that uses heat pipes to transport heat from the reactor core to a supercritical carbon dioxide power conversion system to generate electricity. It uses metallic fuel to produce about 15 MWe as well as producing usable heat, and can operate on fuel made from fresh HALEU or used nuclear fuel.

California-based Oklo received a site use permit from the DOE in 2019 to build and operate a prototype of its Aurora reactor - which will be a commercial power plant selling power to customers - at INL. It also intends to build a facility to fabricate fuel for the liquid metal-cooled fast reactor plant at the same site.