X-energy Appoints Dragan Popovic as Chief of Global Operations to Accelerate Global SMR Deployment
X-energy Reactor Company, LLC, together with its wholly owned subsidiary X-energy Canada, Inc. (“X-energy” or “the Company”), has announced the appointment of Dragan Popovic as Executive Vice President and Chief of Global Operations. A seasoned nuclear industry leader with more than two decades of experience, Popovic brings a deep understanding of small modular reactor (SMR) development, project execution, and operational excellence. His appointment represents a major step forward in X-energy’s mission to commercialize advanced nuclear energy technologies and expand its global footprint.
“Today, X-energy has one of the largest orderbooks of any SMR developer worldwide, and delivering at that scale requires excellence in execution every single day,” said J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy. “Dragan brings deep expertise in nuclear project development, and we are thrilled to have him on our team as X-energy continues to grow.”
A Proven Leader in Nuclear Project Execution
Dragan Popovic joins X-energy Canada following a distinguished career at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of SMR Project Execution. In that role, he led the Darlington New Nuclear Project, one of the most advanced small modular reactor initiatives in North America. Under his leadership, OPG’s integrated project teams achieved key milestones in the development of the first SMR at Darlington, including site preparation licensing, construction approvals, and securing final investment decisions.
Popovic’s leadership at OPG was instrumental in establishing a robust foundation for deploying new-generation nuclear technologies in Canada. His work helped shape Canada’s national approach to clean energy innovation and underscored the potential for small modular reactors to support decarbonization goals while maintaining energy security.
Before leading OPG’s SMR program, Popovic held multiple leadership positions at Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Stations, overseeing various stages of the nuclear lifecycle. His experience includes project financing, regulatory licensing, plant construction, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning. This end-to-end understanding of nuclear infrastructure development gives him unique insight into the operational and strategic challenges facing the next generation of nuclear projects.
Vision for a New Era of Nuclear Energy
“Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to witness the transformative impact of the nuclear industry firsthand — for the electric grid, the economy, and the communities it serves,” said Popovic. “With a new generation of nuclear technology on the horizon, I am thrilled to be joining X-energy at this important moment. The potential of advanced nuclear to decarbonize industries, strengthen power grids, and support economic growth is extraordinary, and I’m eager to help make that vision a reality.”
Popovic’s appointment reflects X-energy’s broader commitment to operational excellence and disciplined project delivery. His focus will include overseeing global operations, advancing project execution strategies, and ensuring consistency and safety across X-energy’s growing international portfolio.
Advancing Global Projects and Partnerships
X-energy’s current development pipeline positions the company as a leading player in the advanced nuclear energy sector. Its first planned deployment is at Dow’s UCC Seadrift Operations Center on the Texas Gulf Coast, part of a collaboration supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). The project represents a landmark in the integration of advanced nuclear energy into industrial operations, aiming to provide low-carbon heat and power for Dow’s manufacturing processes.
In addition to its work in the United States, X-energy has made strategic commitments with several global partners:
- Energy Northwest and Amazon have partnered with X-energy to pursue more than 5 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2039, beginning with the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington State. This collaboration reflects growing corporate and public-sector interest in advanced nuclear as a reliable clean energy solution for data centers and industrial operations.
- In the United Kingdom, X-energy has entered a Joint Development Agreement with Centrica to deploy up to 6 GW of new nuclear capacity—a plan that includes building the UK’s first advanced reactor fleet. The initiative is part of the country’s strategy to enhance domestic energy resilience and accelerate the transition to net zero.
Building the Fuel Supply Chain of the Future
Beyond its reactor technology, X-energy is also investing in securing a stable and sustainable supply of advanced nuclear fuel. The company is constructing the first commercial advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Once operational, this facility will manufacture TRISO-X fuel, a next-generation nuclear fuel designed for enhanced safety and performance. TRISO particles are known for their ability to withstand high temperatures and prevent the release of radioactive materials, making them ideal for advanced reactor designs.
This domestic fuel production capability will ensure energy independence for X-energy’s U.S. and international customers while reinforcing supply chain security for the global nuclear sector.
Driving the Future of Clean, Reliable Power
With a growing orderbook and strategic collaborations across North America, Europe, and beyond, X-energy is positioning itself as a key enabler of the global clean energy transition. The company’s Xe-100 advanced reactor design, based on proven high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology, offers a modular and scalable solution for power generation, industrial heat, and hydrogen production.
By combining efficient project delivery, advanced fuel technology, and international partnerships, X-energy aims to provide grid-scale solutions for utilities, industrial customers, and hyperscale data centers seeking reliable, low-carbon power sources.
“Dragan’s leadership will be instrumental as we move from development to deployment,” added Sell. “Our mission is to deliver advanced nuclear energy that is safe, competitive, and globally scalable. With Dragan at the helm of our global operations, we’re even better positioned to meet that challenge.”
As global demand for clean, resilient power continues to grow, X-energy’s appointment of Dragan Popovic marks a significant milestone in its evolution from a technology pioneer to a fully integrated nuclear energy company prepared to deliver at commercial scale.
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