US nuclear energy innovator NuScale Power has hired Shahram Ghasemian as chief legal officer, a newly created position.

Ghasemian joins from US nuclear fuel business Centrus Energy, where he was general counsel and chief compliance officer. At NuScale Power, he will be responsible for all legal-related matters, bringing his experience in the energy industry to help advance the company’s strategic goals. He will also serve as corporate secretary.

Corvallis, Oregon-based NuScale Power develops small modular reactor nuclear technology, with each reactor unit capable of generating 77 megawatts of electricity.

John Hopkins, NuScale president and CEO, said: “[Ghasemian’s] broad expertise in legal, regulatory, compliance and governance matters within the nuclear sector and the federal government will be a tremendous asset, as we pursue our mission to deliver safe, reliable and clean energy solutions.”

Ghasemian arrives after just over five years at Centrus Energy, having been promoted to GC in August 2023. He initially joined as senior assistant GC and director of legal affairs and corporate compliance in 2020 from the US Department of Energy, where he was a director in its alternative dispute resolution office.

He also spent nearly a decade at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where among other roles, he was acting chief of the agency’s enforcement branch until shortly before his departure. Prior to that he worked in-house as assistant GC at USEC – what later became Centrus Energy.

Ghasemian said: “Joining NuScale Power during this pivotal moment for the energy industry is an honour. With NRC-approved designs, NuScale is moving ever closer to deployment. The company’s dedication to innovation and its leadership in providing safe, clean and reliable energy solutions presents a remarkable opportunity to improve our collective quality of life and promote a sustainable future.”

In May, rival US nuclear power innovator Terrestrial Energy hired Brian Romanzo as GC ahead of its transition to become a publicly-listed company. He joined from franchise development business REP’M Group.

And in December last year, US energy business Constellation hired Jenner & Block partner and energy practice co-chair Matthew Price as chief legal and policy officer.