U.S. Aims to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050 to Combat Climate Change

November 25, 2025

The United States has set ambitious new targets to significantly expand its nuclear energy capacity, aiming to triple it by 2050. This strategic move is designed to bolster energy security, drive economic growth, and crucially, combat climate change by providing a substantial source of clean power.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. aims to add 35 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035 and achieve a sustained pace of 15 GW per year by 2040.
This expansion is a key component of the nation’s strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Federal investments and tax incentives are crucial for enabling this growth.

The Role of Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy Future

Nuclear energy currently stands as the nation’s largest source of clean power, preventing over 470 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually – equivalent to taking 100 million cars off the road. To meet future energy demands and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates the need for an additional 200 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity. These new deployment targets were recently announced at the U.N. climate summit (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, aligning with global pledges to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 and secure a nuclear fuel supply chain independent of Russian influence.

Strategies for Expanding Nuclear Capacity

Achieving the ambitious goal of tripling nuclear capacity will require building new reactors at a pace not seen since the 1970s. This expansion will heavily rely on design standardization, advanced manufacturing techniques, and lessons learned from past projects. The plan includes deploying both large-scale light-water reactors and new small modular and microreactor designs, which can cater to diverse energy needs for both commercial and military applications. Furthermore, increasing power output at existing facilities and restarting retired reactors will be leveraged to bring additional capacity online, creating numerous employment opportunities.

Preliminary research indicates that many existing nuclear power plant sites could accommodate up to 60 GW of new capacity with large-scale reactors, and potentially 95 GW with small modular reactors. Additionally, sites near former U.S. coal plants could host between 128 to 174 GW of new capacity, depending on the reactor type. Small modular reactors, in particular, require less upfront capital, making them more accessible. These sites could also utilize existing infrastructure and local workforces, aiding communities in their transition to a net-zero economy. Legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the ADVANCE Act are providing significant momentum by streamlining regulatory processes and supporting the rebuilding of the nuclear workforce and supply chains.