Duke Energy has taken a pivotal, first-of-its-kind step towards potentially building new nuclear power generation in North Carolina. The utility giant announced it has submitted an Early Site Permit (ESP) application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a location near the existing Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, N.C. This strategic move, the culmination of two years of preparatory work, is a key risk-mitigation strategy as the company explores new nuclear options to meet future energy demands.
Think of an ESP as a “pre-approval” for a piece of land. It’s an optional but critical process that resolves major environmental and site safety questions years before a shovel hits the dirt. For Duke Energy, securing this permit for the Belews Creek site is about preserving future options and de-risking what can be a decade-long construction timeline. If the NRC approves the permit, the site will be formally deemed suitable for new nuclear generation, significantly streamlining future licensing if Duke decides to build.
“Nuclear energy has and will continue to play an essential role in powering communities in the Carolinas,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Submitting an early site permit application is an important next step in assessing the potential for small modular reactors at the Belews Creek site.” This statement, reported in the company’s official announcement, underscores the long-term view. Duke isn’t committing to build today but is methodically clearing the path should they choose to.
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A crucial feature of this ESP application is its technology-neutral nature. Duke isn’t locking itself into one reactor design. The application to the NRC includes evaluations for six potential reactor technologies, featuring four small modular reactor (SMR) designs and two advanced non-light-water reactor designs. Notably, it excludes traditional large light-water reactors, signaling a clear strategic pivot toward the next generation of more flexible, potentially more cost-effective nuclear technology.
“We’re taking a strategic approach to new nuclear development that allows us to advance licensing activities while reducing risks and allowing technologies to mature,” explained Duke Energy Chief Nuclear Officer Kelvin Henderson. This approach allows the company to let the competitive SMR market—with designs from companies like NuScale, GE Hitachi, and others—develop further while Duke secures its site. It’s a hedge against both regulatory delay and technological uncertainty.
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While no final construction decision has been made, the permit lays the groundwork for an ambitious timeline. If subsequent evaluation confirms SMR technology at Belews Creek offers the best value, Duke Energy plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity to its grid. According to the company’s plans, the first reactor could come online as early as 2036, with the full capacity targeted by 2037.
This application is a concrete action within Duke Energy’s broader energy transition strategy, which balances major investments in renewables and grid modernization with a commitment to maintaining 24/7 baseload power from sources like natural gas and existing nuclear. The move in Stokes County represents a significant bet on the future of advanced nuclear power in the American Southeast, ensuring the option remains on the table to meet the region’s growing electricity needs reliably and without carbon emissions.
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