Last Energy Plans to Construct 30 Nuclear Reactors in Texas

Last Energy, an American startup, has announced its intention to build 30 small modular reactors (SMRs) in Texas to meet the increasing electricity demands of the state, particularly from its numerous data centers.

Texas is home to over 340 data centers, consuming nearly eight gigawatts of power, which accounts for approximately 9% of the state's total electricity needs. The rapid growth of the population and the number of data centers has led to a significant surge in energy requirements, prompting Last Energy to propose the construction of these advanced nuclear facilities.

According to the company's founder, the introduction of nuclear power is seen as the most efficient method to satisfy Texas's energy demands. The proposed microreactors, referred to as PWR-20, will utilize pressurized water reactor technology. Each reactor is designed to generate 20 megawatts of power, resulting in a combined output of 600 megawatts from the entire project.

Last Energy's strategy emphasizes scalability and adaptability, enabling the reactors to be manufactured in a factory setting and assembled on-site. This approach is expected to significantly reduce construction time, with the facility in Haskell County projected to be operational within two years. In contrast, the construction of the Flamanville 3 reactor in France faced extensive delays, ultimately taking 17 years to complete.

The company has already set up two demonstration reactors in Texas--one featuring a single module and another with nine modules. Additionally, there is interest in deploying around 80 SMRs in Europe, with half of these units aimed at powering data centers.

The deployment of these nuclear reactors represents a shift towards utilizing advanced nuclear technology to address energy needs in a sustainable manner. As data centers continue to proliferate in Texas, the integration of nuclear energy could play a pivotal role in ensuring a reliable power supply while also reducing carbon emissions.