Dominion Energy calls for proposals to develop SMRs
July 10 (Reuters) -Dominion Energy D.N said on Wednesday it has issued a Request for Proposals from leading smaller modular reactor nuclear companies to assess the feasibility of developing an SMR at its North Anna site in Virginia.
SMRs are smaller-sized nuclear reactors, touted asbeing more cost-effective and quicker to deploy than full-sized models, which can take decades to build. They're aimed at replacing coal-fired plants and providingmore localized energy needs.
The U.S. utility company also plans to seek cost recovery for SMR development, capping the additional cost for a typical residential customer at $1.40 per month.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Clean energy facilities, including nuclear plants, are eligible for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to decarbonize the U.S. power sector.
NuScale's SMR.N SMR technology, the only one to receive design certification from the U.S. nuclear power regulator last year, has faced cost and subscription issues and has hadto shelve one of its projects.
In the U.S., Florida-based Holtec and Pennsylvania-based Westinghouse also have SMR plans under review.
BY THE NUMBERS
After about two decades of flat U.S. electricity growth, power demand is rising rapidly due to the increased use of data centers for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, as well as the electrification of manufacturing and transportation.
About 80% of the 2023 U.S. data center load is concentrated in 15 states, primarily Virginia and Texas.
Power consumption in the U.S. is expected to reach record highs in 2024 and 2025, with projectionsof 4,099 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2024 and 4,128 billion kWh in 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
KEY QUOTES
"As Virginia's need for reliable and clean power grows, SMRs could play a pivotal role in an 'all-of-the-above' approach to our energy future," said Robert M. Blue, chief executive officer of Dominion.
Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid
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