**Oklo's Groves reactor became the first privately-owned advanced nuclear project to clear final safety review by the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Oklo jumps 5% as DOE clears Groves reactor for July criticality
Oklo's Groves reactor became the first privately-owned advanced nuclear project to clear final safety review by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Oklo Inc. secured U.S. Department of Energy approval for the final safety analysis of its Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Texas, clearing the path for first criticality this month and marking a milestone for privately-developed advanced nuclear.
"This is a truly representative facility of future commercial facilities that Oklo intends to build and operate," Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and chief executive officer of Oklo, said.
The Documented Safety Analysis, the facility's final safety basis grounded in detailed technical analysis of potential hazards and safety controls, follows the preliminary DSA approved during design and construction. Groves now enters the DOE's final pre-startup review, including a readiness assessment and startup authorization. Once approved, the facility can receive and load nuclear fuel, conduct startup testing, and achieve first criticality — the point at which a reactor sustains a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Oklo is targeting that milestone for July 2026, less than a year after breaking ground in Texas.
Oklo shares rose 5.1% in pre-market trading Wednesday. The company has more than 15 gigawatts under contract, including a deal with Meta Platforms, and holds more than $2 billion in cash. Oklo plans full commercial operations by late 2027 or early 2028, with analysts projecting the stock could trade above $100 per share, roughly double its current level.
A Blueprint for Private-Sector Nuclear
The Groves project is the first advanced reactor to receive DSA approval on privately owned land using wholly commercially sourced fuel, equipment, and systems, according to Oklo. The facility operates under the DOE's Reactor Pilot Program, established after an executive order calling for multiple advanced reactors to go critical outside national laboratories. "Groves provides a blueprint for how the United States can accelerate advanced reactor deployment while maintaining a rigorous, practical safety process," DeWitte said.
Oklo was the first company to receive a site use permit from the DOE for a commercial advanced fission plant and was awarded fuel from Idaho National Laboratory. It also submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, though that licensing process remains a key risk factor for its commercial fleet. The Groves reactor uses a fast fission design, which differs from conventional light-water reactors by using fast neutrons to sustain the chain reaction, enabling higher fuel efficiency and the potential to recycle used nuclear fuel.
Isotope Production and the Commercial Roadmap
Groves supports Oklo's isotope business, producing materials used in cancer diagnosis and treatment, advanced manufacturing, scientific research, space exploration, and national security. Many critical isotopes are currently sourced from overseas suppliers or aging domestic facilities, creating supply-chain risks for hospitals, industry, and government users. The pilot facility will validate production processes and operating procedures before Oklo scales to commercial operations, targeted for late 2027 or early 2028. The company is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the DOE and U.S. national laboratories.
Investment Angle
Oklo's progress on Groves strengthens its position in the nuclear energy market, where demand from AI data centers is driving interest in dispatchable clean power. The company's Aurora fast fission powerhouse is designed to deliver reliable electricity at commercial scale. With $2 billion in cash and more than 15 GW under contract, Oklo is well-capitalized relative to peers in the small modular reactor space, though NRC licensing for its commercial reactors remains a key uncertainty. Analysts see the stock potentially reaching $100 per share, implying roughly 100% upside from current levels, as the company moves from pilot to commercial deployment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] Oklo's First Nuclear Reactor Is Going Live This Month, but There's a Catch[2] U.S. Department of Energy Approves Final Safety Analysis for Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor, Advancing the Project Toward Operational Authorization[3] Oklo’s first nuclear reactor is going live this month, but there’s a catch[4] Oklo receives DoE safety approval for Texas isotope reactor[5] Here's Where Oklo Will Be in 5 Years (And Why You Should Buy Right Now)
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