The reactors will be constructed at the 800MW Palisades location in Covert, Michigan.

Fugro has won a site investigation contract from Enercon Services to evaluate geologic, geophysical and geotechnical conditions for Holtec International’s twin small modular reactor-300 (SMR-300) reactors.

The reactors will be constructed at the 800MW Palisades location in Covert, Michigan.

The move comes as the US grapples with rising electricity demand and views next-generation nuclear power as a viable carbon-free energy solution.

Enercon engineering vice-president Jay Basken stated: “Enercon is excited to partner with Fugro in support of geotechnical investigation for the siting of two Holtec SMR-300 units at the existing Palisades Nuclear Plant site.

“The Holtec SMR-300 design is one of the first SMRs in the United States that is undergoing site investigation.”

Enercon is collaborating with Holtec to prepare an extensive construction permit application (CPA) for the SMR project.

Fugro is using its nuclear licensing expertise and geo-risk management capabilities to develop preliminary safety analysis reports 2.5.4 and 2.5.5 for the CPA.

These reports, prepared under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, will be submitted to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Fugro’s North America consulting and site screening director Osman El Menchawi added: “This is an exceptional opportunity to team up with Enercon on a groundbreaking project that aims to integrate a soon-to-be restarted nuclear power plant with SMRs, collectively providing 1,400MW of energy.

“We are here to support that kind of large-scale innovation from companies like Holtec, advancing efficient, clean energy production in the US.”

In November 2024, Enercon secured a contract to deliver and construct 28 E-138 EP3 turbines for Iceland’s first large-scale wind farm, with a total capacity of 120MW.

The 17km² wind farm will be located in Búrfell, 130km south of Reykjavik, in partnership with state-owned energy supplier Landsvirkjun.