The United States government plans to buy and operate up to ten new large nuclear reactors to support growing electricity needs. Rising energy demand from data centers, artificial intelligence development, and renewed domestic manufacturing has pushed the administration to pursue a major nuclear build-out.
Energy Department Chief of Staff Carl Coe outlined the approach at an energy conference in Tennessee. He said Japan may fund a large share of the investment through its $550 billion economic commitment announced in October. Up to $80 billion may support new Westinghouse AP1000 reactors.
Coe acknowledged that direct government involvement in private energy development is unusual. However, he described the situation as a national emergency due to the widening gap between power supply and rapidly increasing consumption.
The last major U.S. reactor project came online more than a decade ago. Southern Company’s Vogtle project faced delays and cost overruns, and the industry largely shifted to smaller or alternative power sources. The rapid expansion of energy-intensive AI infrastructure has renewed confidence in large-scale nuclear construction.
Japan’s investment package also includes funding for small modular reactors, power plants, transmission upgrades, and pipelines. The administration aims to start construction of ten large reactors by 2030. Decisions on locations are still under discussion, but officials remain confident the projects will proceed.
