PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Southern Ohio could become a major hub for advanced nuclear energy under a newly announced agreement between two leading nuclear energy companies that could bring billions of dollars in private investment and hundreds of jobs to the region.
Oklo Inc., an advanced nuclear technology company, and Centrus Energy Corp., a uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel services provider, announced Thursday they have signed a Letter of Intent for Centrus to supply nuclear fuel for Oklo’s planned Aurora powerhouse deployment in southern Ohio.
Under the agreement, Centrus would provide enough domestically produced high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to power up to five Aurora reactors for multiple years. Fuel deliveries are expected to begin in 2029 from Centrus’ American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon.
The fuel would support Oklo’s proposed 1.2-gigawatt Clean Energy Campus planned for southern Ohio, a project company officials say could help establish the region as a center for advanced nuclear power generation.
In addition to the fuel supply agreement, Oklo announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. to support engineering, procurement, and construction planning for the initial reactor deployments.
Company officials say the project could have a significant economic impact on the region.
According to Oklo, construction of the planned Aurora powerhouses would require more than 700 full-time construction workers over several years. Each reactor facility is expected to create approximately 40 to 50 permanent jobs in areas including engineering, technical support, administration, logistics, maintenance, and operations.
Centrus officials also noted that the company’s ongoing expansion efforts in Piketon are expected to create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and 300 permanent operating positions while retaining 150 existing jobs at the facility.
“This agreement aligns core elements of advanced nuclear deployment: power generation, fuel, and customer demand,” said Oklo Co-Founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte. “Southern Ohio brings together decades of nuclear experience and a highly qualified workforce that can move advanced nuclear from planning to deployment.”
Centrus President and CEO Amir Vexler called the announcement an important step toward securing a reliable domestic fuel supply for the next generation of nuclear reactors and strengthening America’s uranium enrichment capabilities.
The proposed Aurora reactors would utilize liquid-metal cooling technology and are designed to provide carbon-free electricity with reduced water requirements compared to traditional nuclear facilities.
While the agreement is currently a letter of intent and remains subject to future definitive contracts, the announcement represents one of the largest advanced nuclear energy development plans currently proposed for southern Ohio.
Project timelines, regulatory approvals, and final construction schedules have not yet been announced.
