North America Builds 8 Reactors as NEI Shifts Focus to 90 Projects in Development
Updated
Updated · POWER magazine · May 13
North America Builds 8 Reactors as NEI Shifts Focus to 90 Projects in Development
3 articles · Updated · POWER magazine · May 13
Eight reactors are now under construction across North America and 90 more are in development, prompting NEI CEO Maria Korsnick to say the industry has moved from proving it can build to proving it can build at scale.
Two late-April milestones underscored that shift: Kairos Power broke ground on Hermes 2 in Tennessee, and TerraPower and Bechtel began building the Natrium reactor in Wyoming days later.
Regulatory changes are helping accelerate that pipeline, with NRC review timelines for key processes cut by more than 50%, baseline inspections reduced 40%, and TerraPower’s Natrium permit completed in 18 months—nine months early.
Capital is also expanding, from $80 billion pledged for Westinghouse AP1000 construction to Morgan Stanley’s $2.2 trillion nuclear investment forecast through 2050 and 40 GW of nuclear power now tied to big-tech demand.
The broader constraint is labor: Korsnick said the industry must triple its workforce by 2050 even as U.S. policy, state incentives, reactor restarts and international financing increasingly align behind long-term nuclear growth.
With AI's energy needs soaring, can the nuclear industry build reactors fast enough to power the future it promises?
Billions are pouring into a nuclear revival, but what ensures these new projects won't repeat the costly failures of the past?
As America plans for reactors running into the 22nd century, has it solved the permanent problem of radioactive waste?
North America's 2026 Nuclear Revival: Key Projects, Policy Drivers, and Global Stakes
Overview
North America is undergoing a major nuclear energy revival, driven by the urgent need for reliable, carbon-free electricity to meet rising demands from artificial intelligence and reshoring manufacturing. This resurgence is fueled by renewed investment from both government and private sectors. A key milestone is the start of construction on the TerraPower Natrium plant in Wyoming, which marks significant progress for both the state and the future of American energy. These developments highlight how strategic projects and strong investment are positioning nuclear power as a central solution for North America’s growing energy needs.