New York plans to build an advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York that can produce “at least one gigawatt of electricity”, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced Monday
Hochul has directed the New York Power Authority to develop a zero-emission electricity advanced nuclear plant to support a reliable electric grid, according to Hochul’s Monday press release. The estimated cost of the project was not disclosed in the press release.
New York’s planned new advanced nuclear plant will be the first full-size domestic nuclear plant project since the new Vogtle units went online in 2023 and 2024. Unlike Vogtle, where there were already reactor units, New York will look to build a new nuclear complex from scratch, according to the release.
Most of the US reactors were constructed between the 1970s to 1990s, with Watts Bar Unit 2 in Tennessee being built in 2016 and Vogtle Unit 3 and 4 in Georgia being built in 2023 and 2024.
The New York Power Authority will work with the Department of Public Service to develop at least one new nuclear energy facility that can generate upwards of one gigawatt, or 1,000 megawatts, of electricity, according to the release.
The New York Power Authority and Department of Public Service will do it either alone or in a partnership with private entities. The New York Power Authority will immediately start evaluation of potential technologies, business models, and locations. The state will also look at securing partnerships.
According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, New York’s energy profile in 2024 was predominantly made up of natural gas (46%), nuclear (21%) and hydro (21%). Solar, wind and other sources provided the rest.
New York currently has three operating nuclear power plants: Nine Mile Point, Robert Emmett Ginna, and James Fitzpatrick. Indian Point nuclear plant previously operated in New York, however, its two units shut down in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
The push for nuclear energy in New York comes as economic growth and fossil fuel power plants retire, Hochul said.
Hochul’s initiative will also build on the State’s ongoing financial support to Constellation Energy to pursue an early site permitting process for a new project at its Nine Mile Point Clean Energy in Scriba, N.Y.
