A state report released earlier this week on the feasibility of using small modular nuclear reactors to meet Delaware’s growing demand for electricity indicates that the technology is many years away from being deployed.
The Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force was created through bipartisan legislation sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard) and State Sen. Bryant Richardson (R-Seaford). The concurrent resolution was approved by the General Assembly last July.
Since last October, the group has been studying the technical and logistical feasibility of deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) in Delaware, weighing the economic benefits against the costs, and reviewing permitting, siting, and other factors.
Interest in SMRs has ratcheted up dramatically worldwide in recent years due to their potential benefits and unrealized promise.
Traditional nuclear power plants are uniquely designed and built on-site. They are massive and expensive projects that can easily take more than a decade to build. By contrast, SMRs are smaller, with the largest units producing about 300 MW of electricity—less than a third of the average site-built reactor. They are factory-made with standard components and transported to the build site, making them faster and cheaper options while being more scalable and flexible to meet local demand and blend with the existing power grid. Nuclear power, on a large or small scale, is also the most reliable form of base-load electricity generation while producing no carbon emissions.
However, in the report issued Monday, the group’s members generally agreed that SMRs will not be available to meet Delaware’s needs for at least a decade, noting that SMRs “would not generate electricity before the mid-to-late 2030s at the earliest.”
However, the group agreed that Delaware should take steps to lay the foundation for the possible future deployment of SMRs.
Among the task force’s recommendations were the following:
- Delaware should establish a policy framework for nuclear energy.
- Conduct technical, environmental, and financing studies.
- Launch public education and outreach efforts.
- Engage with federal regulators to craft and streamline state rules.
- Interface with local municipal and county government officials to gauge support in their jurisdictions, identify suitable sites, and discuss planning and zoning issues.
To read the complete report, including all findings and recommendations, click here, scroll down to “Minutes, Reports and Information” and select “Final Task Force Report 7-27-26.”
