US-based nuclear startup Oklo has received approval to start site investigation work for its planned microreactor in Idaho.

The California company said it had finalised a memorandum of agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) which grants Oklo access to conduct site investigations at its preferred site at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, marking a key step toward the next phase of site preparation and construction.

Oklo wants to break ground on the reactor project in 2026 and plans for the plant to come online in 2027, although regulatory review could delay the start date.

Oklo still needs approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build and operate the plant after its first application was rejected in 2022.