As artificial intelligence and data centers cause electricity demand to skyrocket, a nuclear energy startup is planning to restart nuclear power construction projects in South Carolina to address the increasingly strained energy supply situation.

The Nuclear Company, a nuclear engineering and construction firm employing a "design once, build multiple" model, recently established its primary engineering and construction office in Columbia, expected to create at least 100 jobs. The company utilizes a fleet-scale construction approach, leveraging an AI-powered site selection system, real-time construction updates, and integrated supply chain logistics, aiming to reduce costs and minimize delays. The company's Chief Executive Officer stated that U.S. leadership in nuclear energy is under threat, pointing out that China has constructed 37 reactors over the past decade, while the U.S. has completed only two.

Meanwhile, Brookfield Asset Management is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Santee Cooper, South Carolina's largest power supplier, to acquire two dormant nuclear reactors. Construction on these reactors was halted in 2017 after an expenditure of $9 billion. If the deal is finalized, the parties would still need to find a construction partner and complete due diligence, a process expected to take over a year. Brookfield is also the controlling shareholder of Westinghouse Electric, a leading company in the U.S. nuclear reactor construction sector.

Duke Energy is also actively advancing its nuclear strategy. The company has submitted an Early Site Permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the Belews Creek site in North Carolina, planning to evaluate six different reactor technologies with the goal of adding 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2037.

Analysts note that the substantial power demand driven by artificial intelligence is propelling a recovery in the U.S. nuclear power industry, but project execution risks remain significant, as nuclear power plant construction has historically been notorious for cost overruns and schedule delays.