A Montreal-based nuclear engineering company and an Indianapolis startup have joined forces to accelerate the development of an advanced reactor design targeting commercial deployment across North America. AtkinsRéalis and First American Nuclear (FANCO) announced a strategic partnership in May 2026 to jointly develop, test, and license FANCO's EAGL-1 reactor, with the first unit expected to begin delivering power at scale by 2033.

What Makes the EAGL-1 Reactor Different?

The EAGL-1 is being designed as a liquid metal fast-spectrum reactor using lead-bismuth coolant, a technology that sets it apart from conventional nuclear plants. The reactor is designed to generate 240 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 1.5 million homes from a typical six-reactor cluster. This compact power output positions it as a potential solution for industrial applications requiring reliable, carbon-free electricity.

What makes the EAGL-1 particularly flexible is its fuel approach. FANCO states it is "agnostic" about fuel sources and is considering mixed oxide fuel and other transuranic fuels sourced from existing Department of Energy stockpiles, materials too contaminated for use in most reactors. The reactor can also use high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel, giving operators multiple pathways to fuel supply.

How Is FANCO Approaching Nuclear Regulation?

One of the biggest hurdles for new reactor designs is winning approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). FANCO has already made progress on this front. The company received a Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) voucher that allowed Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to study its reactor design. According to FANCO, PNNL concluded that "the EAGL-1 design, subject to further design development and analysis, would be licensable under existing NRC criteria, with no new rules, and no novel regulatory frameworks".

To provide regulators with real-world performance data, FANCO is currently building a lead-bismuth test loop that will give the NRC concrete evidence of how the reactor performs rather than relying solely on computer models and historical analysis. The company has also submitted its regulatory engagement plan to the NRC, initially pursuing a construction permit under 10 CFR Part 50.

Why Does This Partnership Matter for Indiana and Beyond?

The AtkinsRéalis partnership represents a significant vote of confidence in FANCO's technology and Indiana's emerging role as a nuclear innovation hub. AtkinsRéalis will serve as the exclusive engineering, procurement, and construction management provider for FANCO's EAGL-1 reactor, fuel fabrication, and recycling facility projects across North America. The Montreal-based firm brings decades of experience in nuclear project development, a critical asset for a startup navigating the complex regulatory and engineering challenges of reactor deployment.

Beyond the technical partnership, AtkinsRéalis has committed to establishing a significant presence in Indiana. The company plans to open an office near FANCO headquarters, collaborate on workforce and supply chain development initiatives, and participate in the Nuclear Indiana Coalition and other industry groups. This expansion signals confidence that Indiana will become a major center for advanced nuclear manufacturing and deployment.

Steps to Understanding the EAGL-1's Path to Deployment

• Regulatory Approval: FANCO must complete design development and secure NRC licensing under existing regulatory frameworks, with the company demonstrating real-world performance data from its lead-bismuth test loop to support its construction permit application.
• Manufacturing and Supply Chain: AtkinsRéalis and FANCO are collaborating with Indiana on workforce development and supply chain initiatives to ensure the state can support production of reactor components and fuel fabrication facilities.
• First Deployment Target: The companies have set a goal for the first EAGL-1 to begin delivering power at scale by 2033, though the specific location and number of reactor units in the initial deployment have not yet been disclosed.

The timing of this partnership reflects broader industry momentum. FANCO established its Indianapolis headquarters in November 2025 and detailed plans for a "nuclear energy park" along with related manufacturing facilities. The company is collaborating directly with Indiana on deploying its first nuclear power plant in the state, making it one of several advanced reactor startups racing to commercialize new designs.

Employees from both AtkinsRéalis and FANCO have previously worked together on significant projects, including the Department of Energy's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership and Advanced Fuels Campaign, suggesting an established working relationship that could accelerate development. This prior collaboration may help the two organizations navigate the technical and regulatory challenges ahead more efficiently than entirely new partnerships might.

The EAGL-1 represents one of several advanced reactor designs competing to meet growing electricity demand from industrial and commercial applications. By combining a proven engineering partner with a startup's innovation and regulatory agility, FANCO and AtkinsRéalis are positioning themselves to deliver a commercially viable advanced reactor within the next seven years, a timeline that could reshape how the nuclear industry approaches next-generation power generation.