Vogtle came in at more than double its budget and seven years late, the warning hanging over every new build. Cost range reflects different treatment of financing costs across IEEFA, EIA and owner filings.
Vogtle costó más del doble de lo presupuestado y llegó siete años tarde: la advertencia sobre cada nuevo proyecto. El rango de costos refleja distintos criterios de inclusión de financiamiento entre IEEFA, EIA y propietarios.
AI is dragging nuclear back to the center of the grid: hyperscaler PPAs, public support, and 73 reactors under construction signal a comeback, even as Vogtle's overruns warn how hard delivery still is.
Key findings
U.S. data-center electricity use is projected to rise from 176 TWh in 2023 to 325-580 TWh by 2028, while global data-center demand roughly doubles to 945 TWh by 2030. U.S. Department of Energy
Since Sept 2024, U.S. hyperscalers have locked in more than 11 GW of nuclear PPAs and SMR commitments to power AI data centers. Constellation Energy
As of June 2026, 73 reactors totaling 75,774 MWe are under construction worldwide, led by China with 35 units (37.7 GWe). IAEA Power Reactor Information System
U.S. support for expanding nuclear power rose from 43% in 2020 to 59% in 2025, with bipartisan gains (Republicans 69%, Democrats 52%). Pew Research Center
Public SMR equities surged on AI-power optimism in 2024: NuScale +445%, Nano Nuclear +380%, and Oklo +101%, with continued gains into 2025. Investor's Business Daily
The NRC has approved subsequent license renewals (60-to-80-year operation) for 19 reactors as of April 2026, with multiple applications still under review. American Nuclear Society
Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 cost more than $30 billion against a $14 billion original budget and entered service 7 years late, becoming a cautionary tale for U.S. nuclear builds. IEEFA
In 2024, nine reactors started construction, seven connected to the grid, and four shut down, leaving 440 operable reactors generating a record 2,667 TWh. World Nuclear Association
The argument
U.S. data-center power demand triples from 176 TWh in 2023 to as much as 580 TWh by 2028.
Since Sept 2024, U.S. hyperscalers have locked in more than 11 GW of nuclear PPAs and SMR commitments.
U.S. support for expanding nuclear jumped from 43% in 2020 to 59% in 2025, with both parties moving up.
73 reactors (75.8 GWe) are under construction worldwide, with China alone building 35.
The NRC has cleared 19 U.S. reactors to run up to 80 years, keeping the existing fleet alive longer.
In 2024 nine reactors broke ground, seven connected to the grid, and global output hit a record 2,667 TWh.
Vogtle 3 & 4 still loom as the warning: $30B+ against a $14B budget, seven years late.
SMR equities ran 100-445% in 2024 on AI-power hype, well ahead of any delivered megawatt.
This research is published in English and Spanish. Ver en español
La investigación detrás de esta presentación
La IA arrastra a la nuclear de vuelta al centro de la red: PPAs de hyperscalers, apoyo público y 73 reactores en construcción marcan un regreso, aunque Vogtle recuerda lo difícil que sigue siendo entregar.
Hallazgos clave
El consumo eléctrico de los centros de datos en EE.UU. pasaría de 176 TWh en 2023 a 325-580 TWh en 2028, mientras el global se duplicaría a 945 TWh en 2030. U.S. Department of Energy
Desde sep 2024, los hyperscalers de EE.UU. han firmado más de 11 GW en contratos nucleares y compromisos SMR para alimentar centros de datos de IA. Constellation Energy
A junio de 2026, 73 reactores con 75.774 MWe están en construcción en el mundo, liderados por China con 35 unidades (37,7 GWe). IAEA Power Reactor Information System
El apoyo en EE.UU. a expandir la energía nuclear pasó del 43% en 2020 al 59% en 2025, con alzas bipartidistas (republicanos 69%, demócratas 52%). Pew Research Center
Las acciones cotizadas de SMR se dispararon por el optimismo de energía para IA en 2024: NuScale +445%, Nano Nuclear +380% y Oklo +101%, con alzas adicionales en 2025. Investor's Business Daily
La NRC ha aprobado renovaciones de licencia subsiguiente (operación de 60 a 80 años) para 19 reactores hasta abril 2026, con varias solicitudes aún en revisión. American Nuclear Society
Las unidades 3 y 4 de Vogtle costaron más de 30 mil millones de USD frente a un presupuesto inicial de 14 mil millones, con 7 años de retraso: un caso de advertencia. IEEFA
En 2024 nueve reactores iniciaron construcción, siete se conectaron a la red y cuatro cerraron; quedaron 440 reactores operables generando un récord de 2.667 TWh. World Nuclear Association
El argumento
U.S. data-center power demand triples from 176 TWh in 2023 to as much as 580 TWh by 2028.
Since Sept 2024, U.S. hyperscalers have locked in more than 11 GW of nuclear PPAs and SMR commitments.
U.S. support for expanding nuclear jumped from 43% in 2020 to 59% in 2025, with both parties moving up.
73 reactors (75.8 GWe) are under construction worldwide, with China alone building 35.
The NRC has cleared 19 U.S. reactors to run up to 80 years, keeping the existing fleet alive longer.
In 2024 nine reactors broke ground, seven connected to the grid, and global output hit a record 2,667 TWh.
Vogtle 3 & 4 still loom as the warning: $30B+ against a $14B budget, seven years late.
SMR equities ran 100-445% in 2024 on AI-power hype, well ahead of any delivered megawatt.
Esta investigación se publica en inglés y español. Read in English
