The United States is eyeing eight nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 6 gigawatts (GW) that would be refueled on power, eliminating plant shutdowns and enabling continuous operation.

​According to a press statement, the eight sites would adopt Canadian reactor designs based on CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) technology.

Unlike conventional reactors that are fueled by enriched uranium, the CANDU reactors are fueled by natural uranium. They use heavy water (deuterium oxide) as moderator and coolant and are designed for large-scale electricity generation.

To evaluate deployment scenarios for the project, the State of Indiana, Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, and AtkinsRéalis Group, a Canadian company that holds the manufacturing and licensing rights for CANDU technology, signed a memorandum of understanding Monday.

The agreement follows the nuclear company’s letter of intent, submitted in June this year to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to begin licensing its technology in the USA.

​”This collaboration demonstrates the value of working with our American partners to address shared energy challenges and explore solutions that strengthen energy security, support skilled jobs and deliver lasting benefits to communities in the state,” said Joe St Julian, President, Nuclear, at AtkinsRéalis.

According to the MoU, the evaluation would consider a potential gas-to-nuclear construction model to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear power capacity. This means existing gas power sites, including those that have been retired or are expected to close soon, would also be considered for conversion rather than starting from scratch.

However, the US government has not yet announced any potential project timeline .

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