WHY NUCLEAR.
WHY NOW.
More power for the next chapter of American industry. More opportunity for the people and places ready to build it.
- 01 Reliable power.
- 02 Industrial capacity.
- 03 American leadership.
GROWTH NEEDS
MORE POWER.
Data centers, expanding factories, and the electrification of everyday life are changing what America needs from its grid.
Meeting that demand takes generation, transmission, and planning that can turn investment into dependable electricity. Nuclear is an important part of that effort.
U.S. demand outlook
2026 → 2035- projected growth in total electricity demand
- 39%
- projected growth in peak electricity demand
- 25%
ICF forecast, measured from 2026 levels. Total demand measures energy used; peak demand measures the highest power needed at one time. Source 01
AI & data centers
Digital infrastructure needs substantial power and dependable connections to the grid.
Advanced manufacturing
New factories and expanding industrial facilities add significant electricity requirements.
Buildings & transportation
Changing how we heat, move, and work creates new demands on the energy system.
BUILT FOR
THE LONG RUN.
Steady generation. A compact footprint. Options for expanding capacity. Nuclear brings a combination of capabilities to a changing energy system.
Explore DOE's nuclear analysis01 Dependable generation
Nuclear plants provide consistent electricity through the day and night, without the combustion-related carbon dioxide emissions of fossil-fuel generation. They also contribute grid services that help maintain stability when electricity supply and demand change.
Grid reliability researchSee also: TVA's nuclear generation overview .
02 Room to grow capacity
Upgrades to existing plants can increase output. Existing nuclear sites can offer infrastructure advantages for new projects, while multi-unit facilities can share resources and reduce generation costs through economies of scale.
Capacity and siting opportunities03 A concentrated footprint
Nuclear produces substantial amounts of electricity on relatively little land. Thoughtful siting can take advantage of existing infrastructure and reduce the need for additional transmission.
Nuclear's land-use advantages04 Power with more possibilities
With the right design and integration, nuclear systems can serve the electric grid and supply useful heat to industrial customers. Applications and operating flexibility vary by reactor and facility.
Explore integrated nuclear systems
INDUSTRY RUNS
ON HEAT, TOO.
Factories need energy to make things, as well as to keep the lights on. Nuclear heat can support industrial processes and open new ways to connect power generation with production.
Energy for production
Manufacturing, chemical processing, and refining need dependable heat. Advanced reactors are being developed to serve higher-temperature applications.
Another useful product
Electricity and heat from nuclear systems can support hydrogen production for industrial feedstocks, fuels, and other applications.
More ways to use energy
Purpose-built systems can connect reactors with factories, energy storage, and other resources to serve different needs.
POWER
TO LEAD.
Reliable energy helps determine where businesses invest, where technologies grow, and which nations can compete. Advancing nuclear also builds the skills and supply chains behind long-term energy security.
Build domestic capability.
Strengthen the people, suppliers, and manufacturing capacity needed to deliver nuclear projects.
Compete in global markets.
Bring American technologies and expertise to countries investing in their energy future.
Lead through execution.
Turn research, workforce development, and industry partnerships into projects that meet real needs.
READY IN
TENNESSEE.
Nuclear was Tennessee's largest electricity source in 2024. TVA operates Sequoyah and Watts Bar here, connecting the state's nuclear story to everyday life. [6]
Research at ORNL, education at UT, and the federal missions of Y-12 and UCOR sit within a broader network of employers, suppliers, and workforce partners.
TN² connects that ecosystem so people can share knowledge, build relationships, and help Tennessee participate in the next chapter of nuclear.
TVA's 2026 resource plan includes advancing nuclear technologies alongside other resources to support long-term reliability. Read the planning context
Tennessee's Nuclear Energy Fund also supports the state's efforts to attract nuclear employers and investment. Explore state support
BE PART OF
WHAT COMES NEXT.
Bring your questions, your capabilities, and your perspective to Tennessee's nuclear network.
KEEP EXPLORING.
Research and primary sources behind this page.
-
01
Electricity demand and grid readiness
ICF · U.S. demand projections for 2026–2035
-
02
Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Advanced Nuclear
U.S. Department of Energy · September 2024 report · PDF
-
03
Nuclear flexibility and integrated energy systems
U.S. Department of Energy · Heat, hydrogen, and operational flexibility
-
04
Nuclear energy's contribution to grid reliability
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory · North American power-system study
-
05
TVA's nuclear fleet
Tennessee Valley Authority · Operating plants and nuclear generation
-
06
Tennessee Electricity Profile 2024
U.S. Energy Information Administration · Tennessee's generation profile
-
07
TVA's 2026 Integrated Resource Plan
Tennessee Valley Authority · Long-term resource planning
-
08
Tennessee's nuclear investment and incentives
Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development · State investment and the Nuclear Energy Fund