The rapid revival of the US nuclear market has been a major driving force in the nation’s energy ambitions for the future, as the current administration aims to develop the US’s output capacity. Duke Energy, a major US-based nuclear energy company, recently announced that it has submitted plans to the government for a new nuclear facility in North Carolina that will hopefully feature several small modular reactors.
The revival of the United States nuclear sector is picking up steam
Since taking office, President Trump has been actively rolling back permits for renewable energy production projects; however, the nuclear market has remained untouched by the President. In fact, Trump has been boosting the nuclear energy sector in an attempt to produce as much energy as possible to compete with China in the AI race.
Duke Energy has noted that it has submitted plans to the relevant authorities for a new nuclear facility in North Carolina that the company states will use small modular reactors, which are significantly cheaper and smaller than traditional reactors.
What makes this new North Carolina nuclear project so special
The reality is that North Carolina has not opened any new nuclear facilities since the 1980s. Duke has stated that, as part of its plans to reach net-zero by 2050, which has been reaffirmed by an agreement with the state, it would need to launch the new facility in North Carolina.
Notably, while Duke Energy has submitted the relevant application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it has not yet taken a final investment decision on the new nuclear energy project. The company has previously stated its ambitions to produce 600 megawatts of new nuclear power by 2037.
“Nuclear power will help provide the electricity that our growing economy needs without increasing emissions. This is truly an environmentally responsible source of energy. – Michael C. Burgess
Duke Energy now needs to decide on which type of SMR to use at the new NC facility
Duke now has the challenging task of assessing which type of small modular reactor will work for the specific requirements at the new facility in North Carolina. It is currently assessing six different models, but ultimately will make a final decision before filing the full application to the US regulator.
“[This application] gives us tremendous flexibility, because we’re watching each one of those designs develop as we speak. So, if we decide that light water SMR is the right design for early deployment, but one of these advanced reactor designs proves themselves later, the [application] is useful for both.” – Chris Nolan, Duke’s vice president of new nuclear generation
As other US states establish frameworks to advance the nuclear energy sector, if everything goes according to plan, North Carolina will become the latest US state to feature a new nuclear energy site. It should be mentioned that not everything is peachy for Duke Energy, as the company has received some substantial backlash from environmental watchdogs over its new nuclear plan for North Carolina.
Duke Energy has noted that it has taken the necessary time to assess the impact of the new nuclear plant in North Carolina over the past two years.
The US needs more energy to compete with China
The AI race has swept across the world, with several of the largest tech companies making their way to the US to lead the competition with China to advance the AI sector. To do so, the US will need vast amounts of energy, hence the new nuclear ambitions of Duke Energy. Illinois has also jumped on board the nuclear energy bandwagon with its latest project being led by Constellation Energy.
