Did you know that our planet reached its hottest day on record three days in a row from July 3-5? This came shortly after the warmest June ever recorded, which unleashed heat waves across the southern United States that sent the heat index to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
With scientists predicting we will enter a five-year period of increasingly higher global temperatures, we need solutions that will help us mitigate a warming planet. Thankfully, there’s a solution that can help power a brighter (and cooler) future for communities around the world—nuclear energy.
Provides Reliable, Affordable Baseload Power
Nuclear power plants create a constant and reliable supply of electricity, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Meeting the needs of businesses and homes during periods of increased demand (e.g., heat waves) is critical, and nuclear can maintain the grid stability necessary to do it. With the average reactor operating at 92 percent capacity—far higher than any other electricity generator—nuclear energy’s ability to provide massive amounts of dependable power is unparalleled. Nuclear power plants also safely store up to two years of fuel on site, advancing our energy security and leaving us less vulnerable to unanticipated global supply shocks.
With Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle coming online, operators will add even more reliable, clean energy to the grid! As the first reactor to use advanced nuclear technology in the U.S., Unit 3 opens possibilities for an even brighter energy future powered with zero carbon emissions.
Addresses the Underlying Problem
Reducing nuclear power in our energy portfolio would have devastating environmental impacts, making it nearly impossible for us to address the impacts of a changing climate.
As our country’s largest source of carbon-free power, nuclear energy helped the United States avoid more than 471 million metric tons of carbon emissions in 2020—that’s the equivalent of removing more than 100 million cars off the road!
With the International Energy Agency projecting that global electricity demand will increase 25-30% by 2030, meeting this demand with clean energy is instrumental in keeping our planet livable for future generations.
Shapes a More Flexible Grid
With advanced nuclear technologies coming online, small modular reactors (SMRs) can more quickly adjust their electricity output to match demand, using multiple units to quickly provide power when and where it’s needed.
And SMRs can ensure rural communities and other areas receive the power they need to withstand higher temperatures. Local authorities can install them onto the existing grid or off the grid, addressing the high costs of rural electrification by generating clean energy—rain or shine.
As our planet continues to heat up, communities will need reliable, secure power that advances our climate goals. Nuclear energy fits the bill by creating baseload power, enhancing our energy independence, mitigating climate change, and providing the scalable power our world needs to face the challenges of a warmer century.
