# Source extract: source_trade_world_nuclear_news_hitest.md

URL: https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/holtecs-smr-300-test-facility-taking-shape-at-inl
Accessed: 2026-08-31

Holtec's SMR-300 test facility taking shape at INL - World Nuclear News About WNN · Subscribe Home · Energy & Environment · New Nuclear · Regulation & Safety · Nuclear Policies · Corporate · Uranium & Fuel · Waste & Recycling · Podcasts & Features · Fusion · Country Index About WNN HOME / CORPORATE Holtec's SMR-300 test facility taking shape at INL Thursday, 27 August 2026 Holtec International says the HI-TEST facility - a one-third scale representation - will probe the SMR-300 design margin and potentially support future power uprates.   (Image: Holtec International) Holtec says that fabrication of key test components and preparations for facility installation are under way. The facility at Idaho National Laboratory, supported by the US Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, "will serve to probe the SMR-300 design margin under both steady state and transient conditions to provide a physical corroboration of the plant's generation capacity, resilience, and operability". It says that "with a conservative design approach for the initial licensing at Holtec's Pioneer 1&2 project in Michigan, Holtec expects test data to be used to support future power uprates of the SMR-300 plant by taking advantage of large design margins that can be credited to increase power output through a future licence amendment". According to INL's Piyush Sabharwall, writing on Linkedin , "the facility features two cutting-edge test loops engineered to replicate real-world accident scenarios and investigate novel steam generator behavior, generating high-fidelity thermal hydraulic data at prototypic temperature and pressure ... the project is on track for system dedication in 2027 and testing thereafter". 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 of the SMRs - named Pioneer 1 and 2 - at the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station site in Michigan in the USA in a joint venture with Hyundai Engineering & Construction. The Pioneer reactors are planned to be brought online in the early 2030s. Holtec's US construction permit application is under review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with pre-construction work taking place at the site. Most Read Wednesday, 26 August 2026 --> Reactor technology selection process progresses in Netherlands Wednesday, 26 August 2026 Wednesday, 26 August 2026 --> Second EPR site authorised for site preparations Wednesday, 26 August 2026 Friday, 21 August 2026 --> Russia plans to add 30 GW nuclear capacity, expand exports Friday, 21 August 2026 Thursday, 20 August 2026 --> Second US port to explore nuclear maritime technologies Thursday, 20 August 2026 Podcasts & Features Podcast: The intersection of economics and policy - how price reporting informs the fuel cycle Podcasts & Features · Thursday, 13 August 2026 Podcast: Why is the World Nuclear Investment Guide needed? Podcasts & Features · Friday, 31 July 2026 All Podcasts & Features Related Information Small Nuclear Power Reactors Nuclear Power in the USA WNN is a public information service of World Nuclear Association. Related Topics USA · Small Modular Reactors · Reactor design · Research and development · Related Links Holtec · INL · DOE · Related Stories Two SMR projects selected for US federal funding · Holtec and Hyundai E&C target 10 GW SMR fleet after Palisades · Keep me informed --> EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST --> Energy & Environment New Nuclear Regulation & Safety Nuclear Policies Corporate Uranium & Fuel Waste & Recycling Podcast & Features Fusion Country Index Contact York House, 23 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6UJ, United Kingdom editor@world-nuclear-news.org +44 (0)20 7451 1520 © 2007-2026 World Nuclear Association, registered in England and Wales, number 01215741. Privacy Policy Cookies Policy Keep me informed -->