U.S. nuclear generation is projected to rise by 27% between 2035 and 2060, according to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie, as the rapid build-out of artificial-intelligence and cloud-computing infrastructure reshapes national electricity demand. The findings, cited by Reuters, suggest that a long-stagnant sector could enter a second expansion phase once legacy plants are extended and modular technologies reach commercial scale.
The firm said U.S. nuclear power’s share of total electricity generation could stabilize near 20% through 2040 before beginning to rise as post-2035 reactors come online, reversing a decades-long decline in output share. Wood Mackenzie estimates that total U.S. nuclear capacity could reach levels about one-quarter higher than today’s roughly 95 GW.
Growth after 2035 is expected to come largely from small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced-fission units designed for load-following to support intermittent renewables. The renewed outlook stems from surging industrial power requirements from hyperscale data-center clusters tied to AI development, cloud storage, and electrified manufacturing.
The forecast aligns with recent U.S. government and private-sector initiatives aimed at rebuilding the domestic nuclear supply chain.
In October, Cameco and Brookfield Renewable Partners announced a strategic collaboration with Washington to accelerate an $80-billion reactor-deployment program, focused on next-generation designs, enriched-uranium availability, and workforce expansion. The partnership positions nuclear energy as a stable power option for the growing data-center sector and a practical route for lowering U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.
The Wood Mackenzie projections point to a move from limited policy support toward expectations of large-scale reinvestment.
With data-center consumption forecast to triple over the next decade, nuclear energy is re-emerging as the only carbon-free source capable of sustaining round-the-clock generation at scale, and this development is expected to redefine U.S. grid planning after 2035.
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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