Duke Energy submitted an Early Site Permit (ESP) application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on December 31, 2025, seeking approval for a new nuclear power location near its existing Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, North Carolina. As first reported by ans.org, the filing marks the utility’s first attempt to secure federal site licensing for future reactor construction, following an October 2025 announcement of increased investment in nuclear energy. The application is technology-neutral, allowing Duke to evaluate multiple reactor designs without committing to a specific vendor or fuel type at this stage.
What it means
The ESP process allows utilities to complete site-specific licensing requirements—such as environmental reviews, safety assessments, and emergency planning zones—independently of selecting a specific reactor technology. This separation can streamline future construction permits if the company decides to proceed with building units at the location. Duke Energy stated it is pursuing this strategy to advance regulatory milestones while mitigating risk and allowing emerging technologies to mature before final investment decisions.
The application covers six potential reactor technologies: four small modular reactor (SMR) designs and two non-light-water reactor concepts. Notably, the filing excludes large light-water reactors, which remain the standard for most of Duke’s current nuclear fleet. The company currently operates 11 large light-water reactor units across North and South Carolina. According to the NRC project overview, the initiative involves a light-water reactor pathway, with initial focus on an SMR rated at approximately 300 megawatts of gross electrical output. A second similarly sized unit would bring total new capacity to 600 megawatts.
Duke has targeted 2036 for the first SMR to begin operations, with full 600-megawatt capacity online by 2037. The utility emphasized that submitting the ESP does not constitute a final decision to construct new nuclear units. Instead, it positions the company to move quickly if market conditions, regulatory approvals, and technology readiness align in the coming years. This approach mirrors broader industry trends toward modular, scalable nuclear solutions that can be deployed faster than traditional gigawatt-scale plants.
Key facts
- Duke Energy submitted ESP application to NRC on December 31, 2025
- Site located near Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, North Carolina
- Application includes six reactor technologies: four SMRs and two non-light-water designs
- No large light-water reactors included in this filing
- Duke operates 11 large light-water reactor units in the Carolinas
- Target: 300 MWe SMR online by 2036; second unit to reach 600 MWe total by 2037
- NRC project overview identifies involvement of a light-water reactor pathway
- Duke has not yet decided to build new nuclear units at the site
Source: American Nuclear Society, reporting Duke Energy NRC filing