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

December 2, 2025

The United States has announced ambitious 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 meet net-zero emissions goals. The plan involves a multi-faceted approach, including extending the life of existing plants, restarting retired reactors, and deploying new advanced reactor designs.

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.
These targets align with global efforts to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 and secure a nuclear fuel supply chain independent of Russia.
Federal investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are crucial to this expansion.

Driving Clean Energy and Economic Growth

Nuclear power is currently the largest source of clean electricity in the U.S., preventing over 470 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. To meet future energy demands and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates a need for an additional 200 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity. This expansion is seen as vital for both domestic energy security and supporting allies.

The new framework, established at the U.N. climate summit (COP29), outlines over 30 government actions, alongside industry and customer collaborations, to facilitate this growth. This initiative is expected to create numerous job opportunities, as exemplified by the potential for workers like Paul Terek, who was able to continue his career at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant due to recent policy support.

Strategies for Expanding Nuclear Power

Achieving the ambitious capacity targets will require building new reactors at a pace not seen since the 1970s. Key strategies include:

Design Standardization and New Manufacturing: Utilizing standardized designs and advanced manufacturing techniques for large-scale reactors and new small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors.
Leveraging Existing Infrastructure: Exploring the potential to build new capacity at existing nuclear plant sites, potentially adding up to 60 GW with large-scale reactors and 95 GW with SMRs.
Repurposing Coal Plant Sites: Identifying opportunities to build 128 to 174 GW of new capacity near former U.S. coal plants, utilizing existing infrastructure and local workforces.
Extending Operations and Restarting Reactors: Increasing capacity by extending the operational life of existing facilities and restarting retired reactors, with efforts already underway in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Policy and Investment Support

Recent legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the ADVANCE Act, provides critical financial incentives and streamlines regulatory processes. These policies are fostering momentum for the domestic nuclear sector, supporting workforce and supply chain rebuilding, and de-risking the development of advanced reactor designs. Furthermore, efforts are underway to secure a reliable supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium, reducing dependence on foreign entities like Russia.

The Path Forward

The U.S. is committed to overcoming the challenges of expanding its nuclear fleet. By fostering collaboration between government, industry, and power customers, and by learning from past projects, the nation aims to deploy a diverse range of clean power systems. The goal is to ensure that nuclear energy plays a significant role in achieving a net-zero economy, creating jobs, and strengthening national security.