2025 US Nuclear Reactor in Georgia: $17 Billion Investment Marks First New Build in Decades

The United States has achieved a major milestone with the activation of its first newly constructed nuclear reactor in decades at Plant Vogtle, Georgia. This development could signal a pivotal moment for the nuclear energy industry and investors seeking growth opportunities in clean power generation.

Highlights

• Plant Vogtle's Unit 3 is now operational, marking the first new US nuclear reactor built from the ground up since 1996.
• This advancement opens doors for nuclear companies aiming to expand capacity and enhance power output.
• After years of stagnation, US nuclear power generation is poised for a potential resurgence.

Located southeast of Augusta, Georgia, Plant Vogtle’s Unit 3 has successfully completed testing and is delivering reliable electricity to the grid, according to Georgia Power Co. This achievement follows the 2016 launch of Tennessee’s Watts Bar Unit 2, but is distinguished as the first reactor constructed entirely anew in decades.

Despite facing a seven-year delay and exceeding its original budget by $17 billion, the project benefited from continuous federal support. Looking ahead, Unit 4 at the same site is expected to begin operations early next year, having recently received federal regulatory approval.

This breakthrough offers promising prospects for leading nuclear energy companies such as NextEra Energy, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Exelon Corp., and FirstEnergy Corp. However, long-term success depends on sustained growth in nuclear capacity and generation.

Nuclear power, which emerged after World War II as a revolutionary energy source, currently accounts for roughly 10% of global electricity production and ranks as the second-largest source of low-carbon energy worldwide. Since commercial adoption in the 1960s, over 50 countries have integrated nuclear energy into their power portfolios.

Current State of US Nuclear Power

As of 2023, the US operates 92 nuclear reactors across 54 plants in 28 states, per the Nuclear Energy Institute. However, the infrastructure is aging, with the average reactor being 40 years old and the oldest dating back to 1969.

US nuclear capacity has remained largely flat over the past 30 years, averaging 94,760 MW in early 2023 compared to a peak of 101,890 MW in 2012. Similarly, nuclear power generation has declined from its 2010 high of 806.97 MWh.

Is a Nuclear Revival on the Horizon?

Amid rising global energy costs and geopolitical tensions such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, nuclear power witnessed renewed interest in 2023. Countries including the UK, France, and Japan have expanded nuclear capacity or extended the operational life of existing plants.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also recognized nuclear energy as a viable, low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels and a complement to renewables, which face challenges in scalability and global adoption.

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