What nuclear reactor technology is AtkinsRealis seeking US regulatory approval for, and why is it targeting the US market?

AtkinsRealis is seeking US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certification for its Enhanced Candu 6 (EC6) nuclear reactor. The company is targeting the US market because surging electricity demand from AI data centers, electric vehicles, and air conditioning—particularly the projected near-tripling of US data center power needs to over 100 gigawatts by 2035—has made it 'increasingly difficult to find energy on the grid,' prompting utilities and hyperscalers to pursue dedicated, reliable power sources. CEO Ian Edwards emphasized the need to secure regulatory approval ahead of rising demand, and the company aims to be the first with a 'proven, licensed design' to complete the NRC’s streamlined review process—targeting approval in 12 to 14 months.

How does AtkinsRealis’ EC6 reactor compare to alternatives in terms of construction timeline, cost, and fuel requirements?

According to CEO Ian Edwards, an EC6 700-megawatt reactor was constructed in China within five years, making it 'very competitive even with gas from a time perspective' and 'very competitive on a price perspective too, because it’s not a first of a kind.' Crucially, the Candu technology uses natural uranium—not more expensive enriched uranium—giving it a distinct fuel-cycle advantage. This combination of proven build speed, cost competitiveness, and simplified fuel sourcing underpins AtkinsRealis’ positioning against rivals like Westinghouse’s AP1000, especially as the firm also develops the larger Candu Monark (up to ~1,000 MW) to directly compete with such technologies.

Canada’s AtkinsRealis Seeks US Approval for Nuclear Tech to Power AI Boom

Jun 24, 2026

AtkinsRealis filed for US NRC certification of its Enhanced Candu 6 reactor to meet rising AI data center power demand. The initiative leverages natural uranium technology amidst government-backed nuclear expansion goals.

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Canada’s AtkinsRealis Seeks US Approval for Nuclear Tech to Power AI Boom

Canada’s AtkinsRealis Seeks US Approval for Nuclear Tech to Power AI Boom

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