Duke Energy seeks early site permit for potential nuclear project in North Carolina

Dec 30 (Reuters) - Duke Energy DUK.N has submitted an early site permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a site near the Belews Creek power plant in North Carolina, the utility said on Tuesday.

Duke said it plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity at the site by 2037, with the first small modular reactor coming online in 2036.

An early site permit from the NRC clears a location for safety and environmental standards before a reactor design is chosen, effectively reserving the site for up to 20 years.

The company's application includes six potential reactor technologies, including four small modular reactor designs and two non-light-water designs.

U.S. nuclear power is gaining traction after decades of stagnation, fueled by surging electricity demand from energy-hungry data centers and the electrification of transportation and manufacturing industries.

President Donald Trump issued executive orders in May seeking to expedite permitting of nuclear reactors and to reform the NRC.