Nuclear startup X-Energy has secured an additional $200 million in funding to accelerate its development of small module reactors, bringing the total investment in its Series C round to $700 million. The new capital injection comes from investors including Ares Management, Laurene Powell-Jobs's Emerson Collective, Jane Street, and Segra Capital Management.

The funding boost is a significant milestone for X-Energy, which has been gaining momentum in the nuclear energy space. In October, the company announced a deal with Amazon to build 300 megawatts worth of nuclear power plants in the Pacific Northwest, marking a significant step forward in the adoption of nuclear power for data centers.

X-Energy's Xe-100 reactors are designed to generate 80 megawatts of electricity each, enough to power around 50,000 homes. What sets these reactors apart is their use of TRISO fuel, a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional fuel rods. Each "pebble" of TRISO fuel contains around 18,000 poppy seed-sized, carbon-coated uranium particles, and a single reactor will be loaded with 200,000 pebbles.

The company's innovative approach to nuclear energy has resonated with investors, who are betting on the potential of small module reactors to transform the industry. X-Energy's technology has also caught the attention of policymakers, with the Trump administration having expressed support for nuclear power in the past.

The new funding will be used to complete X-Energy's reactor design and licensing, as well as build the first phase of its fuel fabrication plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The company expects its first reactor for Amazon to come online in the early 2030s, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of nuclear power for data centers.

The implications of X-Energy's technology are far-reaching, with the potential to provide a reliable and efficient source of energy for data centers and other industries. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and energy security, innovations like X-Energy's small module reactors are poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of energy production.

With its latest funding round, X-Energy is well-positioned to drive progress in the nuclear energy space and capitalize on the growing demand for clean and efficient energy solutions. As the company continues to advance its technology and build out its infrastructure, it will be interesting to see how its innovative approach to nuclear power shapes the industry in the years to come.