US and Canada announce plans for ten new nuclear reactors each

The United States Department of Energy unveiled $17.5 billion in conditional loans to support the construction of ten large‑scale commercial nuclear reactors. The funding, aimed at five projects partnering with Westinghouse Electric Co., will help procure long‑lead components for AP1000 reactors that each generate about 1.1 GW, enough to power nearly 10 million American homes. The loan program is part of the Trump administration’s effort to revive the U.S. nuclear industrial base and strengthen energy security amid global pressures such as the AI boom and geopolitical instability.

Separately, Canada announced its own plan to build ten new nuclear reactors as part of a “civilian nuclear renaissance” intended to double the national grid’s capacity by 2050. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson emphasized nuclear power as essential to achieving a low‑carbon economy and positioning Canada as an energy superpower. Both countries are seeking to accelerate nuclear deployment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability.

The coordinated North‑American push follows years of limited reactor construction in the West, contrasted with China’s rapid expansion of nuclear capacity, and reflects a broader shift toward nuclear energy as a zero‑carbon, baseload power source.