Duke Energy has submitted a technology-neutral application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for an early site permit (ESP) to potentially develop small modular reactors (SMRs) near its Belews Creek Steam Station in North Carolina.
An ESP is an optional regulatory step that confirms a site’s suitability for new nuclear generation and helps reduce the risk of delays during later licensing and construction phases. While technology-neutral, Duke Energy’s application identifies six possible reactor technologies, including four SMR designs and two non-light-water reactor concepts. Large light-water reactors are not included in the application.
“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 said an ESP would provide future flexibility for customers and local communities. Subject to further evaluation, Duke Energy plans to add up to 600 MW of advanced nuclear capacity at the Belews Creek site by 2037, with the first reactor potentially entering service in 2036.
An early site permit is valid for 10 to 20 years and can be renewed for an additional 10 to 20 years. However, it does not authorize construction, which would require a separate construction permit or a combined construction and operating licence.
Duke Energy said the application reflects two years of preparatory work. The NRC confirmed in a letter dated 18 December that it had completed a pre-application readiness assessment covering the draft site safety analysis, environmental report, and supporting documentation.
Separately, in October, Duke Energy filed a resource plan with state utility regulators outlining evaluations of both large light-water reactors and SMRs to meet rising electricity demand in North Carolina and South Carolina. The plan highlights the William States Lee III Nuclear Station in South Carolina and the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant in North Carolina as preferred sites for potential large-scale reactors.
The Belews Creek Steam Station is a two-unit, 2,200 MWe facility located on the shores of Belew Lake in Stokes County. Originally commissioned as a coal-fired plant in 1974, it now operates on a combination of coal and natural gas and is scheduled for retirement in the late 2030s. Duke Energy says repurposing the site for advanced nuclear generation could lower costs for customers while supporting reinvestment in the local community.