The U.S. launches the UPRISE initiative to boost nuclear power output through reactor uprates, restarts, and upgrades.
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a new initiative to increase the country’s nuclear power output by expanding the capacity of existing reactors, restarting dormant plants, and completing stalled nuclear projects.
The program, known as the Utility Power Reactor Incremental Scaling Effort , is designed to deliver additional electricity to the grid in the near term as the United States faces rising energy demand.Managed by Idaho National Laboratory, the initiative will focus on increasing the output of operating nuclear power plants through “power uprates,” extending the operating life of reactors, and bringing closed facilities back online. According to the DOE, UPRISE aims to add 2.5 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2027 and 5 GW by 2029.The effort is part of a bigger initiative to strengthen nuclear energy’s role in the U.S. electricity system. Nuclear power currently provides roughly one-fifth of the nation’s electricity and remains one of its largest sources of carbon-free power.Leveraging existing reactors for faster capacity gainsInstead of building entirely new nuclear plants, projects that can take years or even decades to complete, UPRISE focuses on upgrading already existing infrastructure. Officials say this approach is among the fastest ways to increase electricity supply while maintaining grid reliability.“UPRISE… strives to significantly expand the United States’ nuclear energy capacity by increasing the power output of existing reactors, bringing dormant facilities back online, and completing stalled projects,” the DOE said when announcing the initiative.Power uprates, which allow reactors to safely generate more electricity than their original licensed capacity, are a key part of this program. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission typically approves three types of uprates. Measurement uncertainty recapture uprates that increase output by less than 2 percent, stretch uprates that raise capacity by about 2-7 percent, and extended uprates that can boost output by up to 20 percent.To accelerate these upgrades, the DOE plans to work with utilities to assess plant equipment, evaluate supply-chain readiness, and develop economic models that support investment decisions. This movement will also promote research to simplify regulatory processes and advance nuclear fuel technologies.The agency plans “match-making” workshops later this year to connect nuclear plant operators with major electricity users. Financing could also play a critical role. Through the Office of Energy Dominance Financing, the federal government has more than $289 billion in loan authority available and can cover up to 80 percent of eligible project costs for nuclear uprates..@INL proudly supports the efforts of @GovNuclear's newly launched Utility Power Reactor Incremental Scaling Effort , an initiative focused on accelerating domestic #NuclearEnergy production by maximizing the nation’s existing infrastructure. ⚛️🔗https://t.co/YT0bRLWe0i https://t.co/UX01K7CEAZ— Idaho National Lab March 12, 2026A push tied to broader nuclear expansion plansUPRISE is closely linked to a series of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in May 2025 aimed at revitalizing the U.S. nuclear industry. Those orders set an ambitious national target of expanding U.S. nuclear generating capacity from roughly 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.The directives also call for faster licensing approvals, expanded nuclear fuel supply chains, and the development of advanced reactor technologies. In some cases, the federal government has encouraged restarts of previously closed nuclear plants or the deployment of small modular reactors to support energy security and emerging industries.Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Energy Rian Bahran described the initiative as a turning point for the country’s existing reactor fleet.“This will be a resurgence for America’s nuclear fleet,” Bahran said. “Through UPRISE, the department will work with industry to surpass the president’s goal of 5 GW of domestic nuclear energy expansion by 2030.”Rising electricity demand driving policy shiftThe renewed push for nuclear power comes as electricity demand in the United States is expected to rise sharply in the coming decade. Growth in advanced manufacturing, electrification of industries, and the rapid expansion of data centers supporting artificial intelligence are placing increasing pressure on power grids.Energy officials are increasingly seeing nuclear power as a way to meet this demand while maintaining reliable, around-the-clock power generation. Unlike wind and solar, nuclear plants produce continuous power and can operate for decades, often with reactor lifespans extending to 80 years or more.By focusing on upgrades and restarts rather than entirely new builds, the UPRISE initiative is about quickly adding gigawatts of carbon-free electricity to the grid while building the foundation for a more aggressive nuclear expansion in the years ahead.
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