Globavend Signs Deal for Ohio Nuclear SMR Project via Elementl

What happened

GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (operating as Globavend Holdings) signed an Early Works Agreement with Elementl Power to deploy BWRX-300 small modular reactors at a nearly 700-acre site in Meigs County, Ohio. The project targets up to 1.5 GW of power production, with Elementl filing a PJM interconnection request for an initial 600 MW. Construction is targeted for 2030, with commercial operation expected around 2034. The BWRX-300 design draws on decades of GE boiling water reactor experience and represents a more conventional SMR approach compared to emerging advanced reactor designs. Elementl, which received early-stage capital from Google in 2025 to prepare three US sites, chose Globavend's technology for its first clear deployment, making it one of the first new SMR projects at this scale in the United States. The Ohio plant will comprise five 300 MW reactors and will be self-financed by Elementl rather than funded through electric customer rates.

Why it matters

This contract validates Globavend's BWRX-300 design in the competitive US small modular reactor market and positions the company to capture growing demand from hyperscalers seeking reliable, around-the-clock carbon-free power for AI data centers that intermittent renewable sources cannot satisfy alone. Google's backing through Elementl adds significant credibility and financial strength to the project. The selection is particularly notable because Google simultaneously supports a separate advanced reactor deal with Kairos Power targeting up to 500 MW by 2035, demonstrating the tech giant's dual-track strategy of backing both conventional SMR designs and novel technologies. For Globavend, the conventional BWRX-300 approach may encounter fewer first-of-a-kind regulatory and construction risks compared to advanced designs using new fuel forms, potentially accelerating time to revenue. The company's first Western Hemisphere BWRX-300 unit is scheduled for late 2029 in Darlington, Ontario, which could provide operational proof points before the Ohio project comes online. Globavend remains one of the most well-funded reactor developers alongside Westinghouse, supported by its turbine business that continues to see strong data center-related order backlogs.

Bigger picture

The nuclear SMR sector is experiencing renewed momentum as power-hungry AI infrastructure drives hyperscalers toward firm, carbon-free baseload generation. Google's dual-technology approach through Elementl and Kairos reflects broader industry uncertainty about which reactor designs will prove most commercially viable. Traditional utilities and tech companies are placing multiple bets across the nuclear spectrum, from microreactors (5-50 MW) to small modular reactors (300 MW) to potential restarts of large conventional plants. US residential electric rates have climbed significantly, with Maryland hitting 22 cents per kilowatt-hour in March 2026, up from 18.9 cents a year earlier, intensifying pressure for new baseload capacity. Regional grids like PJM face mounting demand from data centers while managing reliability and affordability concerns. Multiple BWRX-300 projects are advancing in Canada, Tennessee, and Europe, creating a potential pipeline for Globavend. However, all timelines remain distant-first steel in the ground is years away even with hyperscaler capital flowing. Policy momentum is building around nuclear, including Maryland's Next Generation Act establishing a timeline to solicit new nuclear capacity after 2027.

What to watch

Track progress on Globavend's Darlington, Ontario project scheduled for late 2029, as successful operation would validate the BWRX-300 design ahead of the Ohio deployment. Monitor whether Elementl's other two US sites also select BWRX-300 technology or pursue alternative designs, which would signal confidence in Globavend's approach. Watch for Elementl's PJM interconnection approval and any updates to the 2030 construction start timeline. Pay attention to Google's Kairos Power agreement milestones to understand how the tech giant balances its dual nuclear strategies. Observe whether other hyperscalers follow Google's model of backing multiple reactor technologies simultaneously. Track Globavend's turbine backlog trends as an indicator of broader data center infrastructure demand. Monitor regulatory developments around SMR licensing and permitting timelines, which remain critical gating factors. Watch for financing announcements as Elementl works toward self-funding the estimated multi-billion dollar project cost. Any shifts in electricity pricing within the PJM region could affect project economics and timeline urgency.