Nucleon Provides First Update to Committee
Nucleon presented its initial feasibility report to the state’s Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee on Monday, outlining the early steps in evaluating North Dakota as a possible home for small modular nuclear reactors (SMR). Company leaders stressed that no sites have been selected and that work is focused on informational research to assess technical, economic, and social factors.
The detailed presentation reviewed transmission availability, water requirements, and the use of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) criteria to evaluate potential site suitability across the state. According to Nucleon, the two most critical issues, access to existing electrical grid infrastructure and sufficient water resources, would determine the viability of any future project.
The presentation showed a clear east–west difference driven by transmission capacity. Eastern North Dakota can generally support 600 megawatts or more of new SMR generation, allowing for larger or paired units without major grid upgrades. Western North Dakota has more limited capacity, often closer to 200 megawatts, favoring smaller SMR deployments. The report concludes existing transmission infrastructure, not land or technology, is the main factor distinguishing.
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