-
When will the next generation of nuclear reactors be ready?
The first advanced nuclear plants in North America are expected to begin operations before 2030 and some may even be deployed before then. In 2023, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the first SMR design. This means utility companies can now apply for a combined license to build and operate this small modular reactor. Read our FAQ for community stakeholders -
How long is the construction time for an advanced nuclear reactor?
Advanced nuclear power includes a wide range of designs and technologies that vary in construction time. However, compared to conventional nuclear plants, advanced nuclear power plants can be built much faster. SMRs and micro-reactors can be manufactured in factories and shipped in one piece or in parts to the installation site, significantly reducing construction time.
The nuclear industry is well-positioned to construct advanced reactors within their scheduled timeframe and budget, as they are currently implementing the knowledge gained and adopting best practices from previous projects. Learn more about new nuclear construction -
Are advanced nuclear reactors safe?
Advanced reactors incorporate a multitude of safety features, building upon experience from the unparalleled safety operations of the current fleet of nuclear plants. Each nuclear plant is protected by multiple backup safety systems. Some will be capable of operating without backup electricity. Learn more about safety -
What is the cost of nuclear?
When it comes to affordability, nuclear is proven to lower overall system costs for the consumer. Modeling by climate experts consistently demonstrates that the most reliable, affordable low-carbon energy system requires an increase in nuclear generation globally alongside increases in wind, solar, and battery storage.
Vibrant Clean Energy (VCE) utilizes one of the most detailed models available to assure that low-carbon solutions align with the reliability that the electricity grid of the future will demand. A VCE study found that pairing nuclear with wind and solar is the most cost-effective means to decarbonize electricity generation. This lowest-cost scenario projects nuclear energy could provide nearly 43 percent of all generation in 2050, with wind and solar producing almost 50 percent. A significant portion of this advanced nuclear capacity that is needed could repurpose hundreds of fossil generation sites. A second scenario where solar and wind generate 77 percent of all generation in 2050 and the use of nuclear energy declines would result in over $400 billion in higher costs to consumers. -
Why is advanced nuclear needed in addition to wind and solar?
Nuclear energy is the only clean energy source capable of continuous operation 24/7/365. In contrast, wind and solar are intermittent and are not constantly available. This highlights the importance of both current and advanced nuclear power plants as they can complement wind and solar electricity generation.
Further, nuclear power is the only clean energy source that can support decarbonization at the scale that is needed to meet global emission reduction targets. IPCC reports project that global nuclear energy capacity will need to double by 2050 to keep temperature rise to 1.5 C.
Advanced reactors not only generate massive quantities of clean electricity well beyond any other source, they can also decarbonize other industries. Advanced reactors can produce the hydrogen and process heat needed to decarbonize industries like transportation and manufacturing, which currently produce 45 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Current and advanced nuclear power plants also generate more electricity with less land than all other renewable energy sources. To generate the same amount of electricity as a 1,000 megawatt reactor, a wind farm would require over 140,000 acres, which is over 170 times the land needed for a nuclear reactor. More on advanced nuclear and other renewables -
Do advanced nuclear reactors have used fuel?
Advanced nuclear reactors may produce smaller amounts of used fuel, in forms that will make disposal easier. Some designs will even allow us to recover and recycle elements in used nuclear fuel that can still produce energy.
Advanced nuclear reactors may produce used fuel with different materials and shapes than conventional nuclear plants, but they can still be safely stored using the same proven technology. This includes fortified storage systems designed to withstand extreme events such as earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes, as has been done for decades at existing nuclear power plants.
Advanced nuclear plants will allocate funding for the management of used fuel, and the government guarantees that this funding will be adequate to cover the cost of managing it. Regardless of the approach taken to manage spent nuclear fuel in the U.S., there is existing technology and expertise to maintain safe handling of this material for the long term. Read NEI’s proposed guidelines for managing used fuel -
Is there public support for new nuclear reactors?
A 2023 Gallup poll shows Americans’ support for nuclear energy is the highest in a decade.
Between 2018 and 2022, public support for spending on nuclear energy research and development (R&D) rose seven points. 61 percent of respondents said the U.S. should be spending more on nuclear energy R&D.
Instead of saying “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY), many residents are welcoming new nuclear reactors because of the benefits they offer their communities. In Wyoming, four communities competed to host the first reactor in the state, which is being built by TerraPower and PacifiCorp in partnership with the Department of Energy. A recent study also showed that 86 percent of people currently living near a nuclear power plant said they would accept adding a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to their nearest plant. Learn more about public perceptions of nuclear -
How can advanced nuclear energy help my community?
Advanced nuclear energy offers various benefits to communities, including energy security, economic growth, high-paying jobs, and environmental benefits from a dependable, affordable, and carbon-free energy system.
With advanced nuclear technology, communities can rely on continuous access to carbon-free electricity even during extreme weather conditions, ensuring that homes, businesses, and institutions have uninterrupted power. The flexible design of advanced nuclear reactors allows them to be scaled to meet the unique energy needs of communities. Multiple small modular reactors can be connected to power an entire city—or just a single microreactor can provide electricity to a hospital or university. Many next-generation nuclear reactors are transportable and can run independently from the grid to serve even the most remote communities. In these ways, advanced nuclear reactors can give communities more control over their energy supply while supporting a just energy transition.
Communities can benefit from advanced nuclear energy through significant economic opportunities, such as high-paying permanent jobs. This includes job opportunities for workers from legacy energy sources, such as coal. Advanced nuclear energy provides an excellent opportunity for one-to-one replacement of coal plants, with reactors that can be installed in former coal communities. Retraining programs can also be implemented to help workers transition from working in coal plants to working in advanced nuclear energy plants. View our FAQ for Community Stakeholders