We keep saying it, but it keeps being true – it has been a HUGE quarter for nuclear energy! Between criticality announcements and international developments, nuclear has been top of mind for many reasons.
Around the world, more and more countries are bolstering their nuclear fleets, bringing nuclear back into their energy mixes, or starting up nuclear programs for the very first time. Back in May, NEI led a mission to discuss nuclear partnerships in India, where lots of technological advancements are being made.
Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme. The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality. This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, reflects the depth of our scientific capability and the strength of our engineering enterprise.
Back home in the U.S., nuclear developers are striking deals—including with some household name companies!
[Our long-term nuclear power purchase agreement] with Constellation allows us to support new operations in Illinois while advancing our strategy in a way that prioritizes affordable, reliable, and clean energy for our business and the communities we serve.
And another partnership, this time between pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and the state of Indiana, will advance nuclear production in the state while simultaneously helping Lilly meet their climate goals. Win-win!
For 150 years, Lilly has grown alongside Indiana. Advanced nuclear technology represents the kind of bold, clean energy solution our state needs to power the next generation of innovation, and it directly supports Lilly’s own commitment to reduce our environmental footprint. We're proud to partner with the state to help make it a reality.
With partnerships like these continuing to emerge and nuclear tech continuing to advance, nuclear is becoming an increasingly large part of the energy conversation and garnering more and more media coverage.
Whether you call it an upswing or a renaissance, nuclear’s revival isn’t a single story. It’s a parallel build-out of large reactors, SMRs, and advanced designs—paired with the equally important work of keeping the existing fleet running longer, more efficiently, and, in some cases, bringing it back from retirement.
Speaking of coming out of retirement, both Palisades and Crane Clean Energy Center have been meeting milestones this quarter, getting closer to restarting operations. These restarts will be crucial not only for meeting America’s ever-growing energy demand, but bolstering the economies of the communities they serve, according to Secretary Burgum:
[Crane Clean Energy Center] is gonna be coming back online and it’s great for the community, great for jobs, great for the grid, great for Pennsylvania. I think it can be an example for the rest of the country in terms of this renaissance for nuclear.
From reporters to investors to political leaders, everyone is talking about nuclear energy. Check out our Voices for Nuclear page for the full list of quotes we heard in Q2—and keep your ears open for our Q3 roundup!
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