United States: Nuclear power plants restart for the first time

For the first time in the USA, previously closed nuclear power plants are about to be recommissioned by energy companies, in an unprecedented move to meet the growing demand for electricity.

Partagez:

In the USA, for the first time, two energy companies are planning to restart previously shut-down nuclear power plants.
This initiative is designed to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity, while optimizing costs and time compared with building new facilities.
Constellation Energy announces plans to return a reactor at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania to service by 2028.
This site is known for the 1979 nuclear incident, the most serious in American history, but the reactor in question was not involved in that event.
At the same time, Holtec is working to reactivate the Palisades plant in Michigan, with the aim of restarting it by the end of 2025.

A strategic choice to meet energy demand

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), electricity consumption in the United States is set to increase by 15% between 2022 and 2050, due in particular to the growing electrification of transport and industry.
In view of this projection, restarting existing nuclear power plants is seen as a rapid and economically viable solution for increasing production capacity without undue delay.
Constellation Energy’s project is part of a 20-year electricity supply contract with Microsoft, reflecting the interest of major technology companies in stable, reliable energy sources.
For its part, Holtec has filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to resume operation of Palisades, which would be the first time in the USA that a nuclear power plant has been reactivated.

Controlled costs for increased capacity

The costs associated with restarting these plants are significantly lower than those of building new reactors.
Holtec estimates the investment required for Palisades at around two billion dollars, while Constellation Energy forecasts a budget of 1.6 billion dollars for Three Mile Island.
By comparison, construction of the two new reactors at the Vogtle power plant in Georgia, which began in 2009, required more than $30 billion and has been subject to numerous delays.
This cost difference is explained by the fact that the main infrastructure for the existing plants is already in place.
This means that companies can concentrate their investments on modernizing equipment and bringing it up to current standards.
This approach significantly reduces commissioning times, a major advantage in a context of growing energy demand.

Technical and regulatory challenges

Restarting closed nuclear power plants does, however, raise technical and regulatory challenges.
The facilities concerned, commissioned in the 1970s, have to be modernized to meet current safety standards, particularly in terms of cooling systems, command and control, and resistance to natural or accidental events.
Companies must obtain approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which imposes strict procedures to guarantee nuclear safety.
These include in-depth inspections, performance tests and assessments of waste management plans.
According to experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), these challenges are surmountable thanks to accumulated industry experience and technological advances.

Outlook for the nuclear sector

These initiatives could encourage other players in the nuclear sector to consider similar projects.
NextEra Energy Resources is examining the possibility of restarting the Duane Arnold power plant in Iowa, which closed in 2020.
Although no official decision has yet been taken, this reflection reflects the growing interest in exploiting existing nuclear infrastructure.
Federal government support plays a key role in these projects.
Holtec has secured a $1.5 billion loan from the Department of Energy to finance the restart of Palisades.
This involvement reflects the authorities’ desire to diversify the national energy mix and strengthen the security of electricity supply.
Restarting existing nuclear power plants offers an opportunity to respond rapidly to today’s energy challenges.
By exploiting existing infrastructure, the United States can increase its electricity production capacity while keeping costs and lead times under control.
This strategy could influence the future direction of the sector, complementing investments in renewable energies and emerging technologies.

South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.
Uranium producer enCore Energy surpasses three thousand pounds per day at its Alta Mesa ISR complex and sees three new Texas laws as a strong signal for faster nuclear production permits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles following the abrupt suspension of inspections at key sites disrupted by recent attacks whose consequences remain uncertain.
NPCIL has announced an extension until September 30 for industrial proposals concerning Bharat Small Reactors (BSR), following increased interest from the Indian private sector.
A regional court has upheld the award of two new reactors in the Czech Republic to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, dismissing Électricité de France’s challenge to the €16bn contract in a decisive step for the national energy programme.
Facing rising temperatures, EDF anticipates cuts in nuclear production starting early July, primarily due to thermal constraints on rivers used for cooling the power plants.
The preliminary agreement launches planning and site assessment for a tailored AP1000 reactor, following two years of feasibility study, and enlists Westinghouse and Hyundai to support Fortum’s regional nuclear expansion.
Uranium Energy Corp strengthens its position in Anfield Energy Inc., now holding approximately 32.4% of the company’s shares following an investment of CAD19.55mn ($14.82mn), significantly expanding its strategic influence in the uranium market.
New York State plans an advanced nuclear power plant with a 1-gigawatt capacity to meet long-term energy and economic goals, involving significant investment to enhance regional energy independence.
Niger announces its intention to nationalize SOMAÏR, a mining company jointly owned with Orano, provoking strong opposition from the French company and paving the way for further international legal tensions.
Russia strengthens its economic presence in Mali with new agreements, notably in nuclear energy and gold refining, consolidating strategic cooperation within a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
The US government grants a fourth payment of $100.45 mn to Holtec International to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant, pending regulatory approval, marking an unprecedented event in the United States.
EDF announces a major agreement with Apollo to raise up to £4.5 billion via bonds to finance the British nuclear project Hinkley Point C, whose costs continue to rise significantly.
The Élysée proposes Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, current Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, as General Administrator to replace François Jacq, recently appointed President of CNES.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced his country's interest in small modular nuclear reactors to meet national energy challenges and decarbonize the maritime sector within the next fifteen years.
TerraPower, an American nuclear company, secures $650 million funding from investors, including NVIDIA, to develop its Natrium modular reactors in the United States and internationally.
EDF and the French state finalize a €70 billion financing plan for six EPR2 nuclear reactors, including a specific territorial coordination framework in Gravelines led by Michel Marbaix, awaiting European approval by 2026.
Maire S.p.A and Newcleo form strategic partnership to industrialise the development of 200 MW modular nuclear power plants, via a joint venture majority-owned by Nextchem.
A new European consortium launches the design of a small lead-cooled modular reactor, targeting global commercialisation by 2039, with a demonstration scheduled as early as 2035.
Confidential reports from the IAEA and multiple intelligence agencies confirm Iran's uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels, contradicting Tehran's official statements. EnergyNews.pro retraces the evolution of Iran's nuclear program since 2015, three years before the Trump administration's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.