The Department of Energy (DOE) initiative, known as UPRISE, aims to target “the most cost-effective and immediate methods” to increase nuclear capacity – targeting 2.5 GW more by the end of next year, and a similar amount again within three years.
The DOE said that the initial phase “will be centred on a three-pronged approach focused on establishing the business case by examining supply chain readiness, assessing plant equipment for increased power output or upgrades, and validating economic models to support project investment decisions. The effort will also support research to streamline regulatory processes, advancements in nuclear fuels, and workforce initiatives as a foundation for future nuclear deployments”.
It said that through UPRISE, the Office of Nuclear Energy and the Office of Energy Dominance Financing will seek to “facilitate collaborative agreements between plant owners and end users”, with the Office of Energy Dominance Financing having “more than USD289 billion in available loan authority”. It will be able “to provide up to 80 percent financing for eligible project costs associated with nuclear uprates at attractive interest rates”.
DOE loan programme support is currently being used to support unit restarts at Palisades (805 MW capacity, targeted for this year) and the Crane Clean Energy Center (835 MW capacity, targeted for 2027).
US President Donald Trump announced last year the goal of expanding the country’s nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW to 400 GW by 2050.
The DOE said: “By focusing on solutions available today and immediate opportunities for nuclear energy capacity expansion, UPRISE aims to deliver immediate results that align with national energy priorities.”
