Nuclear power plant construction in the U.S. is challenging.

The addition of two new reactors at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia, has made it the largest source of clean energy in the U.S., according to Georgia Power.

Over three decades, the first reactors built from scratch and connected to the grid have been launched. These reactors, unit 4 and unit 3, began commercial operations in April and last year, respectively. They can power over a million homes and businesses, as stated by the utility provider.

But bringing a nuclear power plant to life is difficult and costly.

The initial budget for the two new reactors was $14 billion, but it eventually doubled. Additionally, the project experienced a seven-year delay.

"Chris Womack, CEO of the utility's parent, stated that the journey was difficult due to unexpected challenges such as the tsunami in Fukushima, the bankruptcy of a contractor, and the Covid pandemic."

The U.S. generated 4.18 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity last year, a 2.2% increase from 2022. The demand from data centers and artificial intelligence is driving renewed interest in nuclear energy.

The U.S. is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, with 54 operating nuclear power plants and 94 reactors, accounting for 30% of global nuclear electricity. However, the average age of reactors in the U.S. is 42 years, and replacing them is a challenging task.

What makes it difficult to construct nuclear reactors in the U.S., and should the Vogtle reactors serve as a warning or a model for the future?