The CEO of Southern Company, a major provider of electricity in the U.S., emphasized the need for about 10 large gigawatts of nuclear power to meet increasing electricity demand. Despite a shift towards renewable energy, nuclear power remains a crucial component in providing reliable electricity without emissions. However, building new nuclear plants is expensive and time-consuming, as evidenced by delays and cost overruns in constructing new reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia.
As Atlanta experiences rapid data center construction, which requires substantial electricity, Southern Company anticipates a significant increase in electricity demand due to population growth and onshoring of manufacturing. The utility expects renewable energy to supply 80% of the demand by the end of the decade, with nuclear and natural gas playing essential roles in maintaining a reliable power supply. To mitigate the high costs of new nuclear plants, the government must provide incentives and support the development of small modular nuclear reactors, which are seen as a more cost-effective and easier-to-site alternative to traditional plants.
Despite differing opinions in the power industry, with some expressing skepticism over the future of nuclear power, the CEO of GE Vernova believes that small modular reactors will become a significant part of the energy mix. As Southern Company and other utilities navigate the challenges of meeting growing electricity demand while transitioning to cleaner energy sources, the development of small modular reactors may offer a promising solution for providing reliable, emissions-free power in the future.
