AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from MIT Technology Review, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.

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In recent weeks, major US nuclear operators have announced plans to increase power output from existing reactors through a process called an uprate. Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear operator in the US, intends to add nearly one gigawatt of capacity across 11 reactors at six plants. On October 5, the Department of Energy awarded Vistra a $4.2 billion loan for upgrades at three of its facilities. These projects aim to generate more clean electricity quickly to support rising demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers.

Uprates involve upgrading equipment like turbines, pumps, and generators, often by using fuel that is more highly enriched or increasing the volume of fresh fuel. This process produces more steam to turn turbines and generate power. While minor uprates adjust settings, major overhauls can boost reactor power by up to 20% and require replacing significant plant equipment. The most recent major US uprate expanded Browns Ferry in Alabama’s capacity by 14%. Constellation’s new project is expected to power roughly 700,000 homes, while Vistra’s upgrades will add 433 megawatts of capacity.

Despite the high costs involved, these projects are less expensive per kilowatt than building new nuclear reactors but cost more than constructing solar farms or natural-gas plants. Constellation’s CEO stated that these projects require a different price point than current market trades. Big Tech companies like Google and Meta have signed long-term agreements to buy electricity from these plants, which helped make the uprates financially viable. Although total potential uprates in the US could add between three and eight gigawatts of power, grid operators expect about 30 gigawatts of additional peak demand due to AI by 2030. Consequently, while maximizing existing reactors is a valuable step for zero-emissions power, meeting future demand will eventually require building new nuclear plants.