Exploring a New Generation of Energy in Sullivan County
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) and its parent company, American Electric Power (AEP), are partnering with X-energy and Amazon to explore a potential 960-megawatt (MW) advanced nuclear energy project at the former Breed Generating Station in Sullivan County.
If the development project moves forward to construction, the completed facility would add safe, clean, reliable electricity to the grid, and could bring new jobs, investment and economic opportunities to the county while giving the former Breed site a new role in Indiana's energy future.
The development and funding agreements for the project are designed to provide financial safeguards for AEP's customers and investors, and the companies are committed to working closely with Sullivan County residents and other stakeholders – communicating clearly, listening to questions and concerns, and providing regular updates.
About the Project
The advanced nuclear project would use a new generation of nuclear technology designed to provide reliable power around the clock.
The potential project would:
- Generate up to 960 MW of reliable, carbon-free electricity
- Include 12 X-energy Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors, added in phases
- Connect directly to the regional electric grid
- Be owned and operated by AEP
- Build on I&M's decades of experience in operating nuclear generation
- Create long-term economic development opportunities for Sullivan County and the surrounding region
Developing a new nuclear facility is a lengthy and highly regulated process. Should the project advance beyond the development phase into construction and commercial operation, the project would require extensive engineering, environmental review, site characterization and regulatory approvals before construction and operation. The project would be subject to federal nuclear regulatory oversight as well as applicable state and local reviews and approvals.
Xe-100 at a Glance
Scalable
Each Xe-100 reactor is designed to produce approximately 80 megawatts of electricity and can be deployed in multi-unit configurations to meet different energy needs.
Advanced Fuel
The Xe-100 uses TRISO-X fuel, made from extremely durable coated fuel particles designed to retain radioactive material within multiple protective layers.
Designed for Safety
The reactor incorporates passive safety characteristics that rely on fundamental physical properties rather than active systems to keep the fuel at safe temperatures.
Reliable, Carbon-Free Energy
Like other nuclear technologies, the Xe-100 can generate electricity around the clock without producing carbon dioxide during operation.
Built on Decades of Nuclear Experience
While the technology proposed for the site represents a new generation of nuclear energy, operating nuclear power plants is not new to I&M. The company has safely and reliably operated the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, Michigan, since 1975. That experience provides decades of institutional knowledge in nuclear operations, engineering, safety, security, emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance.
AEP would own and operate the facility, bringing that experience to the development and operation of the new project.
Learn more about I&M's nuclear experience →
Working Together to Advance Nuclear Energy
The project brings together a utility and experienced nuclear operator, an advanced nuclear technology developer and a partner committed to development capital and long-term power purchase to help add new, reliable generation to the regional electric grid. The agreements with Amazon and X-energy provide the capital protections and financial safeguards that are essential to any potential nuclear project for AEP.
I&M and AEP
Should the development project advance to a final investment decision and be constructed, AEP would own and operate the facility. I&M brings nearly 50 years of nuclear operating experience through the Cook Nuclear Plant and a long history of serving communities across Indiana.
X-energy
X-energy is the developer of the Xe-100 advanced reactor and TRISO-X fuel technology planned for the project.
Amazon
Amazon is supporting the project's development through a funding agreement and intends to purchase the power under a long-term contract, covering the costs of the facility and its operations for the duration of the contract. Electricity from the new facility would connect to the regional grid.
Next Steps
AEP and X-energy, with support from Amazon, will be working through a series of development milestones to assess the feasibility of constructing and operating an X-energy SMR project, with the goal of reaching a final investment decision if the project is determined to be feasible. These steps include further developing and licensing project sites, obtaining necessary infrastructure and property rights, community and stakeholder engagement, obtaining Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing, regulatory and interconnection approvals through PJM, and project financing decisions. These are multi-year processes. As important steps are reached along those milestones, information on progress will be made available, as applicable.
Project Updates
October 19, 2026: I&M and AEP announced an agreement with X-energy to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a 960 MW advanced nuclear facility at the site of the former Breed Generation Facility in Sullivan County, with Amazon supporting the project's development through a funding agreement. The proposed facility would use 12 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors and would be owned and operated by AEP.
September 2026: I&M and AEP representatives are conducting early field work and environmental surveys around the project site. The information collected through this work will help determine whether the site is suitable for potential development of a nuclear generation facility.
Field Activities
Engineers and scientists conduct extensive site studies to evaluate the feasibility and suitability for SMR development.
Examples of common activities include...
Environmental Surveys
Biologists and environmental scientists scope and conduct field surveys, including but not limited to, to gather information about wetlands and other waters, wildlife and their habitats, and rare, threatened, endangered and other protected species.
Meteorological Evaluation Tower (MET)
Surveyors collect information about the habitats and physical attributes of the project area. They also look for ecological concerns like wetlands, flood plains and forests. This process can help protect endangered species, such as the Indiana Bat and American Burying Beetle.
Fencing
Installation of protective and boundary fencing around site property to ensure safety and security. Specifically, the fencing will control site access, demarcate property lines, and prevent unauthorized entry.
Subsurface Investigations
Drilling and boring activities will take place in order to install groundwater monitoring wells and to take boring samples of the site. This information is required to characterize the site for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Early Site Permitting Application process.
Historical and Cultural Resources Survey
Archaeologists and historians perform literature reviews and field investigations of the site.
Land Surveying
Field crews use staking to mark the project area, identify site features, and pinpoint future structure locations. Environmental crews use staking to identify wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas.