Duke Energy has submitted an early site permit (ESP) application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a location near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, North Carolina. This marks the first time Duke Energy has pursued an ESP, which is designed to address environmental and safety issues at the beginning of a project and confirm if a site is suitable for new nuclear development.
The company stated that securing an ESP helps reduce risks and potential delays during future licensing and construction phases, should it decide to build new nuclear units at the site. The permit application includes six possible reactor technologies—four small modular reactor designs and two non-light-water designs—but does not cover large light-water reactors like those currently operated by Duke Energy in the Carolinas.
“Nuclear energy has and will continue to play an essential role in powering communities in the Carolinas,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Submitting an early site permit application is an important next step in assessing the potential for small modular reactors at the Belews Creek site.”
Kelvin Henderson, Chief Nuclear Officer at Duke Energy, added: “We’re taking a strategic approach to new nuclear development that allows us to advance licensing activities while reducing risks and allowing technologies to mature.”
Duke Energy emphasized that no decision has been made yet regarding construction of new nuclear units. However, obtaining this permit provides more options for meeting future energy needs in the region. If further analysis supports deploying small modular reactors at Belews Creek as beneficial for customers, Duke Energy aims to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2037, with initial operations targeted for 2036.
Duke Energy serves electric customers across several states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company owns over 55,000 megawatts of energy capacity and is investing in upgrades to its grid as well as cleaner forms of generation such as natural gas, renewables, nuclear power, and energy storage.
More information about this project can be found on the company’s Belews Creek site webpage at duke-energy.com/stokes.
