North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Duke Energy has submitted an early site permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, marking a key step in evaluating future nuclear generation options in North Carolina.
The application, submitted after two years of site evaluation work, is part of the company’s long-term strategy to assess new nuclear generation as it works to meet growing electricity demand while managing costs and project risk.
An early site permit, or ESP, is an optional federal licensing process that addresses environmental and site safety issues before a company commits to a specific reactor design or construction timeline. Approval of the permit would confirm the site’s suitability for nuclear development and reduce the risk of delays if Duke Energy later decides to build nuclear units at the location.
“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.”
Duke Energy said the permit application is technology-neutral, allowing the company to select a reactor design later in the development process. The filing includes six potential reactor technologies, including four small modular reactor designs and two non-light-water reactor designs. Large light-water reactors, like the 11 nuclear units Duke Energy currently operates in the Carolinas, are not included.
“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,” said Kelvin Henderson, Duke Energy’s chief nuclear officer.
The company has not yet made a decision to build new nuclear units at the site. If future evaluations determine that small modular reactor technology at Belews Creek provides value for customers, Duke Energy said it could add about 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear generation by 2037, with the first unit potentially coming online in 2036.
Duke Energy said approval of an early site permit would provide long-term flexibility for future energy planning in Stokes County and across the state.