American energy company Duke Energy has officially submitted a permit application to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, aimed at assessing the feasibility of establishing a nuclear reactor at its Belews Creek plant in North Carolina. This early site permit process could take 18 months and is intended to reduce the risk of delays if the company decides to pursue nuclear construction in the future.
A strategy without immediate construction commitment
Duke Energy clarified that no final decision has been made regarding the construction of a new reactor. The goal of the application is to secure regulatory and environmental steps in advance. The permit covers a 1,000-acre area near the existing coal and natural gas power plant, commissioned in 1974. The site currently has an installed capacity of 2,200 megawatts, with existing units scheduled for closure in the 2030s.
The filing is part of a broader diversification strategy. The company describes the move as a “risk management” measure to retain technological flexibility. Six nuclear technologies are included in the application: four small modular reactor (SMR) designs and two non-light-water reactor designs.
Optimising existing sites and reducing costs
Using a site already equipped with power transmission and production infrastructure would, according to Duke, result in significant time and cost savings. The Belews Creek station underwent partial conversion to natural gas in 2020 and 2021, facilitating integration of new energy sources.
According to published data, Duke is considering the addition of approximately 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2037, with a potential first unit operational by 2036. If approved, the permit would be valid for 20 years, with a one-time renewal for another 20 years.
Preparing the grid for rising demand
Duke Energy’s transition strategy includes the closure or conversion of all coal-fired plants in North Carolina over the next 15 years. This structural change in the energy mix requires stable replacement options capable of meeting increasing demand. The company’s latest filings indicate that productivity expected from new nuclear capacity would significantly exceed that of new solar installations, despite a higher volume of the latter.
The use of nuclear power is also framed within North Carolina’s Carbon Plan legislation, which mandates a gradual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
