Dow Seeks to Build Advanced Nuclear Reactors to Power Manufacturing Complex in Texas
Chemical and plastics giant Dow is making a move towards clean energy by applying for a construction permit with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the installation of next-generation nuclear reactors at its manufacturing complex in Seadrift, Texas. The project, in collaboration with X-energy, aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with power and steam generation at the plant, amounting to roughly 500,000 metric tons annually.
The proposed project, if approved, would mark the first U.S. commercial advanced nuclear power plant designed specifically for an industrial site. This initiative aligns with the increasing demand for electricity nationwide and the urgent need to combat climate change. While nuclear power presents a promising solution to these challenges, concerns surrounding safety, security, and nuclear waste storage persist.
Dow plans to implement four of X-energy’s advanced small modular reactors, the Xe-100, which could produce up to 320 megawatts of electricity or 800 megawatts of thermal power. The project is expected to showcase the capabilities of new nuclear technology in meeting the growing electricity demand in the country. The Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program supports this endeavor.
The NRC is set to review the permit application within three years, with construction potentially beginning towards the end of the decade and the reactors becoming operational by the early 2030s. This project is part of a broader trend in the energy sector, with multiple companies seeking to integrate advanced nuclear reactors into their operations to achieve emissions reductions and contribute to a sustainable energy future.
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