Why Wilmington could be at the center of the next wave of nuclear energy
Nearly 500 nuclear powered jobs will be coming to Wilmington in a move that officials hope will be the first step toward a carbon free energy future.
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and TerraPower broke ground on their Natrium Fuel Facility Friday, which will provide the raw material for nuclear reactors on the site of their existing plant site in Wilmington. Construction on the facility is expected to begin in 2023 and will support 100 permanent jobs once complete, according to the company.
The ground breaking ceremony also celebrated the future of their BWRX-300 small modular reactor, which along with the fuel facility, could advance the supply chain for commercial nuclear power for the next decade.
High profile attendees at the event included U.S. Congressman David Rouzer, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and New Hanover County Commissioner Bill Rivenbark. One theme noted during the ceremony was the connection between national security and having reliable energy.
“This is critically important, we need energy,” Rouzer said, alluding to the current energy crisis in western Europe. “If you don't have energy you don't have prosperity."
Reporter John Orona can be reached at 910-343-2327 or jorona@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: GE Hitachi break ground on nuclear fuel facility in Wilmington
