Westinghouse eyes 10 new US reactor deployments, floats $75bn price tag

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Westinghouse Electric Company is planning to deploy 10 large nuclear reactors in the U.S. as part of an initiative to significantly increase domestic nuclear power production, following President Trump's executive orders aimed at this goal. The company's interim CEO, Dan Sumner, emphasized Westinghouse's readiness to support this initiative due to its approved reactor design and experience with recent projects, particularly the AP1000 reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. The estimated cost for these new reactors is projected to be at least $75 billion, with hopes to begin deployment by 2030.

Trump's executive orders have streamlined the nuclear development process by granting the U.S. energy secretary more authority over reactor design approvals and reorganizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for faster project reviews. These measures are in response to increasing electricity demand driven by data centers and AI technologies. Additionally, the orders include plans for a pilot program to launch three experimental reactors by mid-2026 and assess the potential for restarting closed nuclear plants, as well as exploring new reactor sites on federal lands and military bases.