Civil Nuclear
Renewed Interest In Nuclear Energy
6-7 Google Pioneers small Reactor
8-9 Reactor Installed at Hinkley Point C
10-11 Sizewell C Project Advances
12-13 Nuclear Strategy Summit
A Year of Progress and Promise for the Civil Nuclear Sector 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, the civil nuclear sector, both domestically and internationally, offers much to celebrate. The year’s developments showcase promising advancements, though significant challenges and determined collaboration remain critical to fully realise the sector’s potential.
Global Drivers of Nuclear Growth
With net-zero targets, the energy transition, and skyrocketing energy demands—fueled in part by data center expansion and the race for AI dominance—the importance of nuclear energy has never been clearer. Microsoft made headlines this year by leading efforts to reopen the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, a bold move to address its growing energy needs for AI and data processing.
Progress in the UK
The UK’s nuclear ambitions remained strong despite a change in government favoring increased investment in onshore and offshore wind. The goal of achieving a clean energy grid by 2030 remains in focus, with nuclear playing a pivotal role. The GB Nuclear SMR Competition advanced significantly in 2024. Key developers—RollsRoyce, GE, Westinghouse, and Holtec—moved to the next procurement stage. By year’s end, the UK government is expected to name one or two finalists, granting them design, development, and construction contracts to deploy Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Unsuccessful bidders still have the opportunity to pursue private deployments, ensuring competition and innovation remain vibrant in the sector.
Meanwhile, Hinkley Point C reached a milestone, installing its first reactor—Britain’s first in three decades. Preparations for Sizewell C also progressed, with new infrastructure projects around Suffolk
aimed at reducing construction impacts. However, a final investment decision on Sizewell C is expected in 2025.
Cultural Momentum
The sector benefited from increased visibility and positive discussion in popular culture. Influential voices like Joe Rogan and the PDB Podcast amplified nuclear energy’s importance, helping to reshape public perception and build momentum for 2025.
Looking Ahead
The future is bright for nuclear energy. Organizations and associations have done tremendous work in promoting nuclear’s role in achieving a sustainable energy mix. At Nuclear Strategy, we made our mark with the inaugural “Enhancing the Nuclear Economy” event in Manchester, uniting government, academia, and industry leaders to advance the sector.
In 2025, we will return to Manchester on May 8 to continue these discussions and will expand our reach with new digital content and an international event announcement. We are committed to working with all stakeholders—industry, government, academia, and associations—to drive nuclear innovation and progress forward.
With continued collaboration and focus, 2025 promises to be a transformative year for civil nuclear energy, solidifying its place at the heart of the global clean energy revolution.
By Jonathan Torrealba
Three
Mile Island: A Symbol of Nuclear Energy’s Revival
The iconic Three Mile Island nuclear energy plant in Pennsylvania, once the site of the most infamous nuclear incident in U.S. history, is set to undergo a transformation as it prepares to reopen in 2028. This development comes as Microsoft signs a 20year agreement to purchase power from the plant, addressing the company’s growing energy demands driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
Constellation Energy, the plant’s current owner, plans to restart Unit 1, which operated safely for decades before being decommissioned in 2019. The planned reopening follows a $1.6 billion investment in facility upgrades, ensuring it meets modern safety and efficiency standards. According to Constellation, the reactor slated to restart is “fully independent” of Unit 2, the site of the 1979 incident that caused a partial meltdown but no injuries. The upgrades are expected to extend the plant’s operation until at least 2054.
Joe Dominguez, CEO of Constellation Energy, highlighted the project’s significance: “Before it was prematurely shuttered due to poor economics, this plant was among the safest and most reliable on the grid. We’re thrilled to bring it back with a renewed mission to provide abundant carbon-free energy.”
Reopening Three Mile Island will add more than 800 megawatts of clean electricity to the grid, supporting Microsoft’s commitment to decarbonizing its operations. In addition to environmental benefits, the project is projected to create 3,400 jobs and generate billions in economic activity, according to a study by The Brattle Group.
Microsoft described the deal as a milestone in its sustainability efforts. With AI technologies requiring vast amounts of energy, this partnership aligns with the tech giant’s strategy to meet growing demands while reducing its carbon footprint.
Renewed Interest in Nuclear Energy
The revival of Three Mile Island reflects a broader trend of renewed interest in nuclear energy, spurred by climate concerns and the escalating energy needs of tech companies. Nuclear power is increasingly viewed as a vital component of the clean energy transition, offering reliable, round-theclock electricity with minimal carbon emissions. This deal is part of a growing wave of nuclear adoption in the tech sector. Earlier this year, Amazon announced a similar agreement to power its data centers with nuclear energy. Both projects are currently under regulatory review.
The 1979 incident at Unit 2 was a defining moment in nuclear energy history, leading to widespread public skepticism and a slowdown in nuclear development. However, the safe and consistent performance of Unit 1 until its closure in 2019 illustrates the reliability of nuclear power when managed effectively.
By reopening Three Mile Island, Constellation and Microsoft are not only addressing immediate energy needs but also demonstrating the potential for nuclear power to play a pivotal role in the future energy landscape. As AI and other technologies drive unprecedented electricity demand, partnerships like these could be key to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Google Pioneers Small Nuclear Reactors to Power AI Data Centers
Google has entered a groundbreaking agreement with Kairos Power to integrate advanced small nuclear reactors (SMRs) into its energy mix, addressing the massive power demands of its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The first reactor is expected to come online before the decade’s end, with additional reactors anticipated by 2035. While financial details and plant locations remain undisclosed, this partnership underscores a growing trend among tech giants to embrace nuclear energy as a clean and reliable source for powering data-intensive operations.
Michael Terrell, Google’s Senior Director for Energy and Climate, highlighted the strategic importance of this agreement: “The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies. This partnership accelerates a new technology that meets energy
needs cleanly and reliably, unlocking AI’s full potential for everyone.” Jeff Olson, an executive at Kairos Power, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the role of the partnership in advancing nuclear technology: “This collaboration demonstrates the technical and market viability of advanced nuclear solutions essential to decarbonizing power grids.”
Before construction begins, the plans must be approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies. Kairos Power, based in California, made headlines last year when it received the first permit in half a century to build a new type of nuclear reactor. Construction of its demonstration reactor in Tennessee commenced in July 2024. Kairos specializes in compact reactors cooled with molten fluoride salt instead of water, enhancing safety and efficiency. This
technology positions nuclear as a compelling option for tech companies seeking to minimize carbon emissions while meeting surging energy demands. The tech sector’s energy needs are skyrocketing, driven by the expansion of AI and data center operations. Goldman Sachs projects that global energy consumption by data centers will more than double by 2030. John Moore, Industry Editor at TechTarget, explains the challenge: “These data centers rely on specialized hardware that consumes vast amounts of power and generates significant heat, requiring robust energy solutions.” Google’s move aligns with broader industry efforts to incorporate nuclear power into operations. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced plans to restart operations at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island plant, and Amazon committed to purchasing a nuclearpowered data center in the same state.
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the U.S. joined a coalition of countries pledging to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 to meet decarbonization goals. Nuclear power’s 24/7 reliability and near-zero carbon emissions make it increasingly attractive, though critics continue to raise concerns about radioactive waste and safety risks. Somnath Kansabanik, an analyst at Rystad Energy, sees Google’s partnership with Kairos Power as a pivotal moment: “This marks another major step in the tech sector’s embrace of nuclear energy, signaling its vital role in the clean energy transition.” As AI advances and data centers expand, partnerships like Google and Kairos Power’s could redefine energy landscapes, positioning nuclear power as a cornerstone of sustainable innovation.
Milestone Achieved:
Reactor Installed at Hinkley Point C
Hinkley Point C, the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK in over 30 years, has reached a major construction milestone with the installation of its first reactor. The steel reactor, weighing 500 tonnes and measuring 13 meters in length, is now securely in place after an intricate 12-hour operation led by a dedicated team of engineers and construction staff. “This reactor is the heart of Hinkley Point C, and its successful installation marks a huge achievement for everyone involved,” said Matt Abbott, installation lead. Once operational, Hinkley Point C will generate enough clean energy to power six million homes, with its two reactors driving steam turbines with the longest blades ever manufactured.
The reactor’s installation signifies a critical step toward the station’s goal of supporting the UK’s clean energy strategy. According to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, this milestone is “a major step forward” in ensuring energy independence and decarbonizing the grid. Each reactor at Hinkley Point C will contain uranium to drive nuclear fission, producing heat at temperatures reaching 300°C and pressure five times greater than that of a submarine at normal operating depth. This heat will transfer to a closed loop of pressurized water, creating steam to power turbines and generate electricity. With the reactors’ combined output, Hinkley Point C is set to provide a significant contribution to the UK’s clean energy transition.
The installation process required the reactor to be carefully winched up the side of the reactor building and guided through an equipment hatch. It was then maneuvered along rails, rotated 90 degrees, and lowered onto a prepared base. This precision task highlights the skill and dedication of the workforce, which includes 12,000 people and over 100 cranes operating on-site. The reactor itself was manufactured over six years by Framatome, a French
company owned by EDF, which is also leading the Hinkley Point C project. Framatome’s CEO Mathieu Gaulthier described the reactor’s completion as a source of “immense pride” for its workforce.
While the reactor was fabricated abroad due to a gap in UK manufacturing capabilities, the construction of Hinkley Point C has spurred efforts to rebuild the domestic nuclear skills base. At a new facility in Avonmouth, near Bristol, high-level welders and fitters are being trained to meet the exacting demands of the nuclear sector. Ian Henderson, head of Framatome UK, noted, “This project is laying the groundwork for future nuclear advancements in the UK.”
Hinkley Point C’s journey has faced significant challenges, including political debates, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global supply chain disruptions. These factors have delayed its opening from the original target of 2025 to the end of the decade. Additionally, the cost of the project has ballooned to £46 billion, up from an initial estimate of £18 billion in 2017. Despite these hurdles, the installation of the reactor underscores the progress being made. EDF is confident that Hinkley Point C will eventually play a key role in delivering clean, reliable energy for decades to come.
Hinkley Point C represents more than just a power plant—it’s a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy future. While setbacks have been unavoidable, the successful installation of the reactor highlights the determination and innovation driving the project forward. With energy demand rising and the need for decarbonization more urgent than ever, Hinkley Point C is poised to become a critical piece of the UK’s energy infrastructure.
Sizewell C Project Advances with Two-Village Bypass Construction
Preliminary work has begun on a two-village bypass in Suffolk, marking a key step in the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project. The bypass, designed to alleviate construction traffic through the villages of Farnham and Stratford St Andrew, represents a significant infrastructure improvement for the region.
Contractors have cleared topsoil in the Tinker Brook area of Stratford St Andrew, initiating archaeological surveys before full road construction begins next summer. The project aims to minimize traffic disruptions and ensure safety, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director, described the bypass as a “permanent benefit” to the local community. “Even after Sizewell C is operational, the bypass will reduce traffic and improve safety through the villages with new roundabouts at key A12 junctions,” he noted.
Local residents have expressed support for the bypass. Mark Conibeer, who lives near the A12’s Farnham bend, welcomed the progress, saying, “We need the infrastructure and the power. Building the bypass will allow our village to develop positively.” Similarly, resident Shelia Degrove shared her enthusiasm: “We’ve been waiting for a bypass for such a long time, and it’s wonderful to see work starting.”
Sizewell C has already secured planning permission, but a final investment decision is anticipated in 2025. If approved, construction of the nuclear power plant could span 12 years. Initial estimates in 2020 placed the cost of the single-carriageway bypass at over £30 million. The project will create significant economic and logistical benefits, including safer roads and smoother traffic flows for the local community. As part of this, access work for one of two new roundabouts near Friday Street is scheduled to begin in January 2025.
While the bypass promises long-term improvements, Leydon acknowledged potential short-term traffic impacts during construction. “We’re doing as much work as possible away from existing roads to limit disruptions,” he assured.
The bypass is not just about infrastructure—it symbolizes the broader ambitions of the Sizewell C project. Once operational, Sizewell C is expected to provide low-carbon electricity to millions of homes, reinforcing the UK’s push for energy security and net-zero emissions. As work progresses on both the bypass and the plant itself, this milestone signals the transformative potential of Sizewell C for Suffolk and beyond.
Summit Strategy Nuclear
This year’s agenda is shaping up to cover the entire lifecycle of nuclear development—from inception and operations to decommissioning, waste management, and transportation.
Title: Enhancing the Nuclear Economy
Date: Thursday 8th May 2025
Arrival Time: 8:00 am
Location: The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester UK, M2 3WS
Topics to be covered include
• Policy and Guidelines for Advanced Nuclear Innovation Economic Aspects and Capital in Advanced Nuclear Solutions
• Establishing a Robust Advanced Nuclear Technology Supply Network Ensuring Safety, Confidence, and Public Trust in Advanced Nuclear Innovations
• Emerging Technological Breakthroughs in Nuclear Energy Advancements
• Exploring Diverse Applications of Nuclear Technology Beyond Power Generation Innovations in Nuclear Waste management
• Developments in Decommissioning and supply chain opportunities
• Nuclear transport, removal and storage solutions
To find our more please visit www.nuclearstrategy.earth or email hello@nuclearstrategy.earth
