Hundreds of sites could be converted for reactors, but funding and effective use of incentives will be crucial.
The US is pushing towards a net-zero future and the energy sector is at a crossroads. Nearly 30% of the nation’s coal plants are projected to retire by 2035, leaving many communities facing economic uncertainty and a critical question: What comes next?
A promising yet complex answer lies in repurposing coal sites for nuclear energy production.
A 2022 US Department of Energy (DOE) study found hundreds of coal plant sites could be converted to nuclear power, providing clean electricity and revitalising local economies. A more recent DOE report estimates 128-174 GW of new nuclear capacity could be built at retiring coal plants by 2035. Similar transitions could happen globally.
A study published in June in ScienceDirect suggested that the R. M. Schahfer coal plant in Indiana was the most feasible site for coal-to-nuclear conversion.
Recognising the challenges, the DOE published a 2024 guide to help stakeholders navigate technical, economic, and social obstacles in coal-to-nuclear transitions.
Why Transition from Coal to Nuclear?
The transition offers significant environmental and economic benefits. It would result in the replacement of a highly polluting energy source with one that generates zero emissions while providing the surrounding communities with an alternative that maintains energy production, economic activity and job security.
From the environmental perspective, coal-fired power plants account for about 20% of US carbon emissions, according to the Energy Information Administration, a federal agency responsible for energy data.
Jacopo Buongiorno, nuclear science and engineering professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told NucNet: “By replacing coal with nuclear, one gets rid of emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, while maintaining a reliable 24/7 electricity supply”.
In terms of the economy, the DOE estimates that a 500 MW nuclear plant could nearly double employment compared to a similar-sized coal plant and revenues could increase from $292m (€269m) annually for coal to $559m annually for nuclear, driving growth and supporting communities.
Prof. Buongiorno explained: “The economic impact of replacing a coal plant with a nuclear plant on the local communities is overall very positive. The nuclear plant will employ more people and they will be better paid. Tax revenue will increase”.
However, TerraPraxis, an energy innovation NGO, told NucNet that to successfully make the transition, nuclear plant costs must be competitive and delays between coal plant shutdowns and nuclear startups should be minimised. Otherwise, “the potential cost savings and community benefits from those things will be lost,” said Jon-Michael Murray, director of TerraPraxis' Repower programme.
Coal-to-Nuclear: The Challenges
The DOE notes significant challenges in converting coal sites because only some may meet regulatory, geographic and technical requirements.
With no precedent for coal-to-nuclear conversions, the regulatory process and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing could be lengthy, adding financial strain for utilities and communities. To address this, the Advance act, passed by the US Congress in July 2024, directs the NRC to reduce licensing fees and increase staffing to expedite reviews of new nuclear reactors.
An NRC spokesperson told NucNet: “We are evaluating existing reactor licensing and oversight requirements to determine whether changes are needed to address safety, security, or environmental issues for proposed facilities at these sites. These potential changes could enhance licensing or oversight efficiency at brownfield facilities through use of past site activities”.
Reusing infrastructure also presents challenges. While transmission connections and cooling systems can be reused, other components may not meet nuclear standards.
Prof. Buongiorno said that cooling towers, water pumps, switchyards and access roads could be reused, but key internal system components may not withstand nuclear standards because maintenance at coal plants is less rigorous, raising reliability concerns.
Additionally, while the transition from coal to nuclear means that coal plant workers can be reskilled to make use of their skills to meet the demands of nuclear plant operations, significant training will be needed.
TerraPraxis points out that while job categories like electricians are similar across coal and nuclear, about a quarter of coal plant workers require extensive re-training. “Positions in this category often require licences, certain university degrees, or a certain number of years of training,” Murray said.
Funding for coal-to-nuclear projects may also be an issue. In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act offers substantial financial incentives, including tax credits and grants, but accessing these funds requires expertise and coordination.
The DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (Gain) initiative, a public-private partnership, is also supporting communities with technical assistance and research, yet many local governments lack the resources to fully capitalise on these opportunities.
Effective use of these incentives will be crucial to the success of coal-to-nuclear transitions.
Beyond The US: The Global Context
While the US explores the potential of coal-to-nuclear conversions, similar opportunities exist in countries facing the dual challenges of decarbonisation and economic transition from fossil fuels.
China, the world’s largest coal consumer, is investing heavily in nuclear power with 56 reactors in operation and 28 under construction, according to the IAEA. Repurposing coal plants for nuclear use could accelerate this shift and Chinese companies could leverage domestic capabilities for advanced reactor designs at retired coal sites.
In Europe, coal-reliant Poland is moving ahead with one large-scale nuclear plant, while a second one is being considered at the Patnow coal-fired plant, pending government approval.
The conversion of coal plants, with Patnow already chosen as a possible site, could use existing infrastructure and workforce skills to speed up its energy transition. The country's largest coal-fired generation complex at Belchatow has also been eyed by the government as a possible site to deploy nuclear, though no particular project has been announced.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia, countries with robust regulatory frameworks and nuclear expertise, are also exploring conversions to meet EU climate goals.
Coal-to-nuclear transitions represent a promising but complex path for nations to achieve sustainable energy futures. It will require strong support from policymakers, innovative strategies from utilities and acceptance from communities.
With coordinated efforts, these conversions could be a cornerstone of global decarbonisation efforts.
This article was originally published on 23 October 2024 by NucNet.