Appalachian Power on Nov. 14 announced plans to bring small modular reactors to Virginia. Appalachian Power representatives have identified a potential site for an SMR project on company-owned property in Campbell County, Virginia, and plan to begin the Early Site Permit Application process.
The site provides access to existing electrical infrastructure that is necessary for a generation project. The site includes a 765 kilovolt substation and nearby roadways can support moving the necessary equipment onsite.
"SMR technology offers tremendous potential to provide safe, reliable and clean energy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The relatively small footprint allows SMRs to be constructed in areas that were not previously feasible for nuclear energy generation. SMR sites can also be scaled to match the energy needs of the state. A single SMR can generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of clean energy," it said.
The company plans to file an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission in spring 2025. In addition, Appalachian Power plans to apply for part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s $900 million grant program to accelerate the deployment of SMRs and help reduce customer costs.
Appalachian Power said it will work closely with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state and local agencies and other stakeholders to educate the community about the benefits of SMRs while gathering feedback.
