Facing surging electricity demand from rapid population growth and the exploding data center and artificial intelligence boom, Duke Energy is moving forward with plans for a new nuclear facility in North Carolina’s Piedmont.
The Charlotte-based utility has formally submitted an early site permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a proposed site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County. The early site permit is technology neutral, allowing Duke to secure approval for the location while selecting a reactor design later.
The application outlines six potential Small Modular Reactor (SMR) reactor technology designs. Large traditional light-water reactors (like those at the Lake Norman and Lake Wylie plants) are not part of the proposal.
Under its long-term plan, Duke intends to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear power by 2037, with the first SMR potentially coming online in 2036.
Duke, the nation’s largest regulated nuclear operator, also plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, the company recently unveiled a record $103 billion capital plan through 2030 — a 13.7% increase over its previous five-year outlook.
“Nuclear energy has and will continue to play an essential role in powering communities in the Carolinas,” said Duke President Kendal Bowman in a press release.
Executives say unprecedented demand from AI-powered data centers is driving the expansion. Duke has secured 4.5 gigawatts of new data center load, with another 9 gigawatts in the pipeline as utilities race to scale up power generation across the Carolinas and Southeast.
