Overview

The Nuclear Power 2010 program (NP2010), unveiled by the Department of Energy on February 14, 2002, is a joint government/industry cost-shared effort to identify sites for new nuclear power plants, develop and bring to market advanced nuclear plant technologies, evaluate the business case for building new nuclear power plants and demonstrate untested regulatory processes. The accomplishment of these program objectives paves the way for an industry decision to build new advanced light water reactor nuclear plants in the United States that would begin operation in the middle of the next decade. The Department is actively engaged with nuclear industry stakeholders to address the issues affecting future expansion of nuclear generation. Funding for most projects within the program concluded in FY2010; program activities have continued for two project areas: GEH detailed design work and Nustart COL application development.

NP 2010 has succeeded in building momentum toward a “nuclear renaissance” in which nuclear plants are effective options for zero-carbon electricity production.  Streamlined regulatory processes such as the early site permit and the combined construction and operating license are stimulating the utility sector to consider nuclear power plants to fill future energy growth requirements, as shown by the spike in license applications from 2002 to present. Completion of complex design certifications on advanced, passively safe reactor designs are expected to provide increased confidence on the part of utilities and the public in the construction and operation of these new units.

Historical Program Activities For the Deployment of Nuclear Power

Background

Nuclear power plants generate approximately 20 percent of electricity and over two-thirds of non-greenhouse-gas-emitting power produced in this country; however, all recent electric-generating capacity additions and projected future additions are primarily fueled by natural gas. Despite the excellent performance of current nuclear plants and decisions by power plant owners to seek license renewal and power uprates, no new plant has been ordered in this country for more than 30 years.