US energy company plans 600 MW nuclear expansion with new site permit

Duke Energy, a US nuclear energy company, has submitted an early site permit (ESP) application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in North Carolina. This move follows two years of technical and environmental assessments and aims to address site suitability and environmental safety issues ahead of any construction decisions. The ESP application is technology-neutral, covering six potential reactor technologies—including four small modular reactors (SMRs) and two non-light-water designs—allowing flexibility in future reactor selection. Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, Kendal Bowman, emphasized that securing the permit reduces risks of delays in licensing and construction, with the permit valid for up to 20 years. If SMR technology is deemed the best fit, Duke Energy plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2037, with the first SMR expected online in 2036. Chief Nuclear Officer Kelvin Henderson highlighted that this approach balances risk management with preparing for future energy demand. Separately