Indiana weighs 6 GW Candu nuclear project with up to eight units

· Energy · United States

AtkinsRéalis Group, Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative and the State of Indiana are to explore a potential nuclear project featuring up to eight Candu nuclear power units with a combined capacity of 6 GW. The plan is at the exploratory stage, with a study of what such a build-out would involve. Candu units are pressurized heavy-water reactors, a design AtkinsRéalis markets internationally. Indiana currently has no operating commercial nuclear plants, so a project of this scale would be a major addition to the state's generation mix and a significant new source of firm, carbon-free power. The announcement also matters to the wider nuclear supply chain: eight units would be one of the largest single reactor orders contemplated in the United States in decades.

Why it matters：The study is one of the largest reactor build-outs contemplated in the U.S., and its progress will test whether heavy-water Candu designs can win a foothold in a market dominated by light-water reactors.

Key points

  • The project would feature up to eight Candu units totaling 6 GW.
  • The partners are AtkinsRéalis, Hoosier Energy and the State of Indiana.
  • The effort is at the exploration stage; Indiana has no operating commercial nuclear plants.

Sources (original reporting)

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