Duke Energy applauds Department of Energy's new nuclear investments, helps advance deployment of SMRs in the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) reaffirmed participation in a U.S. Department of Energy cost-share effort that supports deployment of GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The DOE announced a $400 million grant to Tennessee Valley Authority to accelerate BWRX-300 deployment. Duke said its collaboration with TVA and GE Vernova Hitachi advances its new nuclear strategy, could strengthen grid reliability, and aligns with plans to submit an early site permit for potential SMR deployment at Belews Creek in North Carolina by year-end 2025.

The release emphasizes public-private partnerships to reduce costs and risks while supporting Duke Energy's long-term goal of reliable, affordable, carbon-free generation.

Positive

• $400M DOE grant supports BWRX-300 SMR deployment
• Duke to submit early site permit for Belews Creek by year-end 2025
• Collaboration with TVA and GE Vernova Hitachi advances Duke's new nuclear strategy

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

DOE grant amount $400 million Federal cost-share grant to TVA for BWRX-300 SMR deployment

Electric customers 8.6 million Electric utilities across NC, SC, FL, IN, OH, KY

Electric capacity 55,100 megawatts Owned energy capacity of Duke Energy’s electric utilities

Natural gas customers 1.7 million Natural gas utilities in NC, SC, TN, OH, KY

Market Reality Check

$118.62 Last Close

Volume Volume 3.30M is about 8% below the 20-day average of 3.60M. normal

Technical Trading about 1.5% below its 200-day MA of $120.47 and 8.8% below its 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Before this news, DUK was down 0.89%. Key U.S. regulated electric peers like SO, AEP, D and EXC also showed single-day declines (around 0.8–1.4%), while NGG was modestly higher, suggesting a generally soft utilities tape rather than a DUK‑specific move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 02	Community grants	Positive	-0.9%	Nearly $275,000 in microgrants as part of $600,000 anti-hunger campaign.
Nov 20	Rate case filing	Positive	+0.2%	Filed for $1.729B annual revenue increase via multiyear rate plans in NC.
Nov 19	Leadership change	Neutral	-1.3%	New chief procurement officer named as company executes largest generation build.
Nov 07	Customer programs	Positive	-0.3%	Energy‑saving tips and programs amid cold weather; highlights >$1B bill savings.
Nov 07	Billing support	Positive	-0.3%	Piedmont Natural Gas programs to help manage higher winter bills in Southeast.

Pattern Detected

Recent generally positive or neutral corporate and community news often saw flat-to-modest negative next-day moves, with occasional alignment on regulatory filings.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, DUK issued several customer- and community-focused updates, including charitable grants of nearly $275,000 on Dec. 2, 2025 and energy‑savings guidance tied to winter weather. Strategically, it filed for about $1.729 billion in multiyear rate increases on Nov. 20, 2025 and announced a senior supply chain leadership change on Nov. 19, 2025. Price reactions to these largely constructive updates were modest, often slightly negative, indicating limited short-term trading impact from similar news items.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Short Interest

1.81%

0% 15% 30%+

low

Short interest at 1.81% of float with 5.28 days to cover suggests limited short-squeeze risk and a relatively uncongested short position.

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-30

$4,000,000,000 registered capacity

Duke Energy has an effective Form S-3ASR shelf dated 2025-09-30 for up to $4.0B of PremierNotes, expiring on 2028-09-30. The shelf is currently unused (usage_count 0), providing flexibility to issue additional unsecured floating-rate demand notes without a new registration.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Duke Energy’s role in advancing small modular reactors through participation in a DOE cost-share project backing TVA’s BWRX‑300, consistent with its long-term strategy for reliable, carbon-free generation. The company also flagged potential SMR deployment at Belews Creek and plans an early site permit filing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Against a backdrop of recent rate-case activity and an effective $4.0B S‑3 shelf, investors may track regulatory milestones, nuclear project economics, and capital-raising choices as key watchpoints.

Key Terms

small modular reactor technical

"support small modular reactor deployment by Tennessee Valley Authority"

A small modular reactor is a compact nuclear power plant designed to generate electricity in smaller amounts compared to traditional reactors. It can be built in factories, then transported and assembled on-site, making it quicker and often cheaper to deploy. For investors, these reactors represent a potential source of clean energy with lower upfront costs and flexible scaling, which could influence future energy markets and infrastructure investments.

SMRs technical

"paving the way for future deployment of SMRs that strengthen grid reliability"

SMRs, or small modular reactors, are compact nuclear power plants that generate electricity on a smaller scale than traditional reactors. They are designed to be built quickly and flexibly, like adding individual units to a power grid as needed. For investors, SMRs represent a potential way to produce clean energy efficiently, which could drive future growth in the energy sector.

BWRX-300 technical

"deployment of GE Vernova Hitachi's (GVH) BWRX-300 small modular reactor"

BWRX-300 is a small nuclear reactor designed to produce electricity using nuclear energy in a safer, more cost-effective way. Its compact size and simplified design aim to reduce construction time and expenses, making it an attractive option for clean energy generation. For investors, it represents a potential opportunity in the growing market for sustainable power sources, with the promise of reliable, low-carbon electricity.

public-private partnerships financial

""Public-private partnerships accelerate technology development and reduce costs""

Public-private partnerships are collaborative agreements between government entities and private companies to jointly fund, build, or operate projects that serve the public interest, such as infrastructure, transportation, or healthcare facilities. These arrangements allow both sectors to share resources, risks, and benefits, often leading to more efficient or innovative solutions. For investors, such partnerships can create opportunities in stable, long-term projects with potential for consistent returns.

early site permit regulatory

"plans to submit an early site permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory"

An early site permit is an official approval from regulators to evaluate the suitability of a location for building a large project, such as a power plant, before final construction plans are made. It provides a preliminary green light, allowing developers to move forward with detailed planning while addressing potential issues early on. For investors, it signals progress and reduces some uncertainties about the project's future development.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulatory

"submit an early site permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission"

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is a government agency responsible for overseeing the safety and security of nuclear power plants and radioactive materials. It sets rules and monitors practices to prevent accidents and protect public health. For investors, its regulations can influence the stability and operation costs of nuclear energy companies, affecting their long-term viability.

energy dominance technical

"supporting American prosperity and energy dominance."

Energy dominance is a situation where a country or region has significant control over global energy supplies, such as oil and natural gas, giving it considerable influence over energy markets and prices. For investors, this can mean stability in energy costs and increased economic strength for that area, potentially leading to broader financial opportunities and geopolitical advantages. It’s like a country having a powerful resource that shapes the global economy, affecting investments worldwide.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

•  Aligns with Duke Energy's focus to reduce costs while supporting reliability and economic prosperity
•  Federal cost-share project will support small modular reactor deployment by Tennessee Valley Authority and GE Vernova Hitachi

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy reaffirms its commitment to advanced nuclear development activities as part of its participation in a recently announced U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) cost-share project.

Earlier this week, the DOE announced a $400 million grant to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to continue to accelerate deployment of GE Vernova Hitachi's (GVH) BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology. As previously announced, Duke Energy's participation in TVA's technology grant application supports the company's new nuclear strategy by joining with other utilities and technology providers to more cost effectively advance a standard technology design, while leveraging lessons learned from the industry. The collaboration aligns with Duke Energy's long-term strategy to deliver reliable, affordable, and carbon-free energy to its customers while supporting American prosperity and energy dominance.

"Public-private partnerships accelerate technology development and reduce costs and risks for customers and investors," said Harry Sideris, Duke Energy president and chief executive officer. "Our work with TVA and GE Vernova Hitachi will advance the BWRX-300, paving the way for future deployment of SMRs that strengthen grid reliability and support economic growth."

As part of Duke Energy's diverse energy mix, SMRs can play a vital role in strengthening economic prosperity while maintaining reliability at the lowest possible cost for customers. Collaboration with TVA and GVH supports the company's near-term activities to rigorously evaluate and partner with industry stakeholders to advance new nuclear generation. This includes potential SMR deployment at the Belews Creek site in North Carolina where the company plans to submit an early site permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by year-end.

More information about the grant and the project teams can be found on the Department of Energy website. 

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

Contact: Anne McGovern
24-Hour: 800.559.3853 

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

What did Duke Energy (DUK) announce about the DOE $400 million grant on December 4, 2025?

Duke said it is participating in TVA's cost-share effort that the DOE backed with a $400 million grant to accelerate BWRX-300 SMR deployment.

How does Duke Energy (DUK) plan to advance SMR deployment at Belews Creek in 2025?

Duke plans to submit an early site permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for Belews Creek by year-end 2025.

What role does GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 play in Duke Energy's strategy (DUK)?

Duke said participation with TVA and GVH supports standardizing BWRX-300 technology to reduce costs and enable future SMR deployment.

Will the DOE-funded project affect Duke Energy's reliability and emissions goals (DUK)?

Duke stated the collaboration aims to strengthen grid reliability and support delivery of carbon-free energy to customers.

Who received the DOE $400 million grant mentioned by Duke Energy (DUK) on Dec 4, 2025?

The Department of Energy awarded the $400 million grant to the Tennessee Valley Authority to accelerate BWRX-300 deployment.