The U.S. is investing heavily in a future in nuclear power, through the development of new conventional reactors and power plants, as well as small modular reactors (SMRs). While several states with nuclear plants plan to expand operations in the coming decades, to help deliver more clean power, one area that has big plans for new nuclear power projects is New York. This month, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to develop an advanced nuclear plant to provide reliable, clean electricity.

The U.S. has developed a strong nuclear energy sector over the past more than half century, and after several years of underinvestment, it is back on track to expand its nuclear power sector over the coming decades. In 2024, there were 94 operational nuclear reactors in the U.S., producing almost 97 GW, which is the largest commercial nuclear power generation fleet in the world, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Nuclear plants currently produce around 19 percent of the country’s electricity, down 4 percent from their 2012 peak.

There are 54 nuclear power plants across the country. Plant Vogtle in Georgia is the biggest facility, with four nuclear reactors and a total generating capacity of around 4.5 GW, while New York’s R.E. Ginna plant is the smallest, with its one 0.6-GW reactor. Twelve U.S. nuclear power reactors have permanently closed since 2013, but several companies have announced plans to construct new ones, as the public perception of nuclear power improves and government support for new projects continues under the Trump administration.

This month, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to build an advanced nuclear plant with the ability to produce at least 1 GW of power, which Hochul says will be one of the first new U.S. reactors in a generation. As the power demand grows, particularly with the rollout of data centres across the country and the electrification of multiple industries, the need for greater clean power is evident.

While several states are investing heavily in wind and solar power projects, others are concerned about the unreliability of these energy sources, which has encouraged many to look to stable, clean energy solutions. “We need electricity that is reliable all day long,” Hochul stated during a press conference. “Harnessing the power of the atom is the best way to generate steady zero-emissions electricity.”

The projected cost and timeline of project development are not yet clear, but New York will partially fund the plant, as well as buy electricity from the facility once it is operational. Hochul has directed the state’s power authority – the NYPA – to develop and construct the zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant. The state is currently seeking partners for the development, which is planned for north of New York City in upstate New York.

Hochul published a Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in January to better understand the public perception of nuclear power and interest in the development of new projects. In May, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders in support of nuclear energy, directing the U.S. independent nuclear regulatory commission to weaken regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants.

New York’s governor stated, “As New York state electrifies its economy, deactivates ageing fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, we must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centres on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future.”

The decision to expand New York’s nuclear power capacity is largely in response to plans to expand its data centre capacity, in line with tech companies’ aims to deploy artificial intelligence and other complex technologies, which require vast amounts of energy to power. Hochul hopes to establish upstate New York as a tech centre, similar to Silicon Valley, which should be achievable given the region’s geography, water supply, and proximity to IBM and university tech research centres.

This is not the first nuclear energy project planned to support the expansion of data centres in the U.S. In 2024, Microsoft signed a 20-year purchase agreement with the nuclear power company Constellation to buy power from a soon-to-be restarted reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Google and Amazon both plan to purchase nuclear power from SMR operators.

The Trump administration’s support for nuclear power could help New York to kick-start its new nuclear plant development, following decades of sectoral stagnation. However, several environmental groups have warned that the development of New York’s nuclear power industry should not detract from the need to expand the state’s renewable energy sector, to provide residents and industry with more clean power.

https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/New-York-to-Become-a-Major-US-Nuclear-Power-Hub.amp.html