Siting the First Unit
The first-of-a-kind breeder is sited against neutron-handling, utility, logistics, and regulatory criteria rather than against a power-market location.
What a foundry site needs
Because the breeder is a foundry, not a power plant, siting is driven by the needs of a neutron and isotope facility, not by proximity to an electricity market. The dominant criteria are radiological handling, utility supply for magnets and cryogenics, and logistics for heavy long-lead components.
- Radiological siting suitable for 14 MeV neutron work and tritium handling
- Electrical supply adequate for magnet energization and cryoplant load
- Cooling water and utilities for the cryogenic and vacuum systems
- Transport access for the vessel, magnets, and heavy assemblies
- A regulatory environment compatible with a byproduct-material framework
Radiological priority
Neutron shielding, activation management, and tritium containment set the site footprint and building design. The facility is designed around confining neutrons and accounting for tritium, which places the shielding and the tritium plant at the center of the layout.
Logistics
The vessel, centerpost, and magnet assemblies are large, heavy, and precision items. Site access for their transport and installation is a real constraint, and it interacts with the assembly sequence: components must arrive in the order they are installed.
No site build has begun; site preparation is part of the Q2 2027 construction start. Siting criteria here describe intended selection factors for a machine not yet built.