NextEra Energy, which has been eyeing the reopening of its Duane Arnold nuclear power plant near Palo , is conducting engineering studies and speaking with federal regulators about the possible restart, company executives say.
Growing power demand from AI data centers and the electrification of buildings and transportation has propelled the country’s electric utility industry and led to unprecedented power contracts.
NextEra is assessing the Duane Arnold plant, which was Iowa’s only nuclear power station until its 2020 shutdown, and speaking with regulators with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local groups, CEO John Ketchum said on a company earnings call Wednesday.
“We’re very interested in recommissioning the plant,” said Ketchum, adding that the site northwest of Cedar Rapids uses a boiling water reactor, which can be simpler than other systems to revive.
“That gives us optimism of being able to do this at an attractive price and without as much risk,” he said.
After struggling for decades with poor economics and safety concerns that led 13 reactors to shut since 2012, the nuclear industry is experiencing a revival driven by a sudden turnaround in electricity demand.