Nuclear Power Expansion Crucial for U.S. Energy Goals #

The United States needs to significantly expand its nuclear power capacity in the coming decades to meet rising electricity demand, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure energy security. A senior government official emphasized that the country should at least triple its nuclear fleet to keep pace with these challenges.

Currently, the U.S. maintains the world’s largest nuclear fleet, with 94 operational reactors generating about 100 gigawatts of power. This fleet supplied over 18% of the nation’s electricity consumption in 2023. However, to meet future needs, the country must add approximately 200 gigawatts of nuclear power, equivalent to building about 200 new plants based on the current average reactor size.

The planned restart of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant by 2028 is seen as a positive step, but it represents only a small fraction of the nuclear power needed. The reactor slated for reopening, Unit 1, is not the one that experienced a partial meltdown in 1979. A major technology company plans to purchase electricity from the plant to power its data centers, highlighting the growing demand for clean, reliable baseload power from large-scale consumers.

While restarting shuttered reactors can contribute to the nuclear power supply, there are limited candidates for such restarts in the U.S. The focus needs to shift towards deploying new plants to meet the country’s energy goals.

One potential avenue for nuclear expansion is repurposing coal plant sites. A recent study suggests that recently closed coal plants, those scheduled for retirement, and currently operating plants without set shutdown dates could provide space for up to 174 gigawatts of new nuclear power across 36 states. These sites offer advantages such as existing transmission infrastructure and a workforce experienced in the energy industry, potentially reducing costs by up to 30% compared to greenfield development.

The expansion of nuclear power faces challenges, including cost overruns and lengthy construction timelines. However, rising electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing, and the overall electrification of the economy could provide the impetus needed to build larger plants.

Changing economics, including tax support and increased recognition of nuclear power’s clean energy attributes, are improving the outlook for the industry. The planned restarts of Three Mile Island and the Palisades plant in Michigan reflect this shift, though they still require regulatory approval.

While reactor restarts can contribute to maintaining and expanding nuclear capacity, finding additional plants suitable for restart may prove challenging. Many decommissioned plants have already begun the deconstruction process, making revival increasingly difficult.

As the U.S. pursues its ambitious nuclear energy goals, a combination of restarts, new builds, and innovative approaches will be necessary to meet the growing demand for clean, reliable power in the coming decades.