The US government has announced an $80bn partnership with Westinghouse, uranium company Cameco, and Brookfield Asset Management to build a wave of new nuclear reactors across the US.
Designed to revitalise the US nuclear industry, the initiative will create tens of thousands of jobs and support US leadership in both energy security and AI infrastructure.
Howard Lutnick, secretary of the US Department of Commerce, described the partnership as “historic”, highlighting its strategic and economic importance.
“Together with Westinghouse we will unleash American energy. This partnership embodies the bold vision of President Trump – to rebuild our energy sovereignty, create high-paying jobs, and drive America to the forefront of the nuclear renaissance,” added Lutnick.
National rollout
Each two-unit Westinghouse AP1000 project is expected to create or sustain 45,000 manufacturing and engineering jobs across 43 states. A national rollout could generate over 100,000 construction jobs.
Connor Teskey, president of Brookfield Asset Management, framed the project as a bridge between energy and technology, noting the dual impact on electricity and AI.
“This partnership will help unlock the potential that Westinghouse and nuclear energy can play to accelerate the growth of AI in the US, while meeting growing electricity demand and energy security needs at scale,” he said.
Smallest footprint per megawatt
The AP1000 reactor, the most advanced commercially available design, features fully passive safety systems, modular construction, and the smallest footprint per megawatt on the market.
Six reactors are now operational – four in China and two in the US – with additional projects underway in Europe.
The two in the US are units 3 and 4 at Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia, which began operating in July 2023 and April 2024, respectively. Building them took 15 years.
Powering data centres
Beyond electricity generation, the new reactors will provide critical energy for data centres and high-performance computing.
“We expect this new partnership to support the global growth opportunities for both Westinghouse’s and Cameco’s nuclear products, adding significant long-term value for our stakeholders and enhancing energy, national and climate security around the world,” said Tim Gitzel, CEO of Canada-based Cameco, one of the world’s largest publicly traded uranium companies.
The US nuclear sector currently provides around 20% of the country’s electricity, but ageing infrastructure and competition from other energy sources have slowed growth.
Globally, countries like China, France, and Poland are investing heavily in new nuclear technology, highlighting a broader renaissance in low-carbon, reliable power.
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