Nuclear Power's 'Last Gasp' in the South

摘要

Unlike renewables and natural gas, which are on the rise nationally, nuclear energy faces numerous challenges that are forcing the industry to contract. However, the industry is defying that trend in one U.S. region. According to the U.K.-based industry analyst S&P Global Platts, nuclear power is expanding in the Southeast. A recent article published by the firm attributes that counter trend to several factors. As one example, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently announced it had ramped up its Browns Ferry Unit 3 to full power. The announcement involved the addition of 15S megawatts (MW) to the 1,155-MW unit. With two other plants of similar size slated to receive similar upgrades by next summer, the combined improvements will bring the nuclear power plant site up to more than 3,900 MW of capacity.