Missouri eyes nuclear expansion at Callaway as power demand climbs

[Marlin]

Missouri eyes nuclear expansion at Callaway as power demand climbs

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/missouri-eyes-nuclear-expansion-callaway-power-demand-climbs

[Core Content]

Missouri officials are exploring the expansion of the Callaway nuclear power plant to meet rising electricity demand from manufacturing and data centers. Governor Mike Kehoe established an Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force to guide state strategy, with leaders targeting the Callaway site for a potential new reactor unit.

The industry faces challenges regarding construction costs, supply chain gaps, and the loss of institutional knowledge since the 1980s. While Callaway currently operates one reactor with a net capacity of 1,190 MWe and a license valid through 2044, stakeholders emphasize that federal financial support is necessary to mitigate the risks of building new large-scale nuclear infrastructure.

Driving through the winding roads of Callaway County, often visible in the distance is a massive, 553-foot-tall concrete structure emitting what looks like white clouds."A lot of people think that's smoke coming out of the top; it is not. That is water vapor," said Travis Hart, manager of the Callaway nuclear power plant that produces 15% of...

The single nuclear reactor near Fulton was built in the late 1970s and began generating electricity in 1984. Initially, the site was designed with two reactors in mind. But Hart said plans for a second unit came to a halt in the early '80s due to decreasing electricity demand and rising costs.

Now, more than 40 years later, energy demand is growing due to increased manufacturing, adoption of electric vehicles and the development of AI data centers.

Read the full article at newsfromthestates.com:
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/missouri-eyes-nuclear-expansion-callaway-power-demand-climbs