The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a funding program of 17.5 billion dollars for the construction of ten nuclear reactors.

The U.S. Department of Energy launched on Tuesday a funding program worth $17.5 billion aimed at building ten large nuclear reactors on American soil.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the loans will reduce construction costs and allow the reactors to be operational up to three years earlier. The program will support five nuclear projects, each having two reactors, all using the AP1000 model developed by Westinghouse. Each reactor will produce approximately 1.1 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power over 800,000 homes. The funds will be used to purchase complex components, essential to avoid delays in construction. Westinghouse will collaborate with up to five utility companies, already having letters of intent with seven partners.

Although the locations have not been disclosed, Chris Wright mentioned that they are distributed across various regions of the country.

The funding will require equity contributions from Westinghouse and its partners.

The demand for energy in the technology sector has increased, and companies like Microsoft and Google are becoming supporters of nuclear energy, although they have not yet signed major agreements for new plants.