Duke Energy submits early site permit application for potential new nuclear development in North Carolina

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) submitted an early site permit (ESP) application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Dec 30, 2025 for a site near Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, North Carolina.

The ESP is technology neutral and lists six potential reactor technologies (four small modular reactor designs and two non-light-water designs). Duke says an approved ESP would reduce licensing and construction risks and preserve optionality.

Duke has not decided to build new units but plans, if selected, to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear by 2037 with a first small modular reactor online in 2036.

Positive

• ESP filing submitted to NRC on Dec 30, 2025
• Application includes six potential reactor technologies
• Plan to add 600 MW advanced nuclear by 2037
• First small modular reactor targeted online in 2036

Negative

• Company has not made a final decision to build new units
• Expected commercial benefit delayed until at least 2036–2037

Key Figures

Planned advanced nuclear 600 megawatts Potential addition to system by 2037 if project proceeds

First SMR online 2036 Target year for first small modular reactor at Belews Creek site

Electric customers 8.6 million Electric utilities customer base across six U.S. states

Electric capacity 55,100 megawatts Total energy capacity owned by Duke Energy

Gas customers 1.7 million Natural gas utilities customer base in listed states

Pre-news share price $117.52 Price prior to ESP announcement publication

Market Reality Check

$117.52 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,479,171 vs 20-day average 3,479,197 (relative volume 0.71). normal

Technical Price 117.52 is trading below 200-day MA at 120.47, indicating a weaker longer-term trend pre-announcement.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed, small moves: SO +0.27%, NGG +0.18%, AEP -0.28%, D -0.07%, EXC -0.09%, suggesting this licensing news is more company-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 22	Community investment	Positive	+0.6%	Florida employees and foundation contributed over $1M to local communities.
Dec 22	Customer assistance	Positive	+0.6%	Expanded South Carolina aid and efficiency incentives via Share the Light Fund.
Dec 17	Customer assistance	Positive	+1.6%	Share the Light Fund raised $6.4M in 2025 for customer assistance.
Dec 12	Efficiency guidance	Positive	+0.8%	Piedmont Natural Gas shared energy-saving tips ahead of cold weather.
Dec 12	Efficiency programs	Positive	+0.8%	Highlighted programs that helped customers save over $1B since 2019.

Pattern Detected

Recent community and customer-support announcements have been followed by modest positive price reactions, indicating a generally constructive reception to Duke Energy’s strategic and stakeholder-focused news.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, Duke Energy has highlighted community support and customer assistance across its territories, with several December releases on aid programs, energy-efficiency guidance, and charitable contributions. These events, dated between Dec. 12–22, 2025, saw modestly positive 24-hour price reactions from about 0.64% to 1.59%. Today’s early site permit application adds a longer-term nuclear development option, extending the narrative from near-term customer support toward future-generation planning.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-30

$4,000,000,000 registered capacity

An effective Form S-3ASR dated 2025-09-30 registers up to $4,000,000,000 of PremierNotes, with a maximum net aggregate principal amount outstanding of $2,000,000,000. These are unsecured, floating-rate demand notes, and a 424B3 filing on 2025-12-22 updated interest tiers. This structure provides pre-established capacity for issuing these notes without additional registration steps.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details Duke Energy’s early site permit filing for a potential small modular reactor project, securing regulatory optionality ahead of any construction decision. It fits alongside recent December updates focused on customer support and energy efficiency rather than immediate financial changes. Key watchpoints include progress of NRC review, future technology selection among the six reactor options, and whether the company advances toward its stated goal of 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear by 2037.

Key Terms

early site permit regulatory

"submission of an early site permit (ESP) application to the U.S. Nuclear"

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

"early site permit (ESP) application to the U.S. 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.

small modular reactors technical

"assessing the potential for small modular reactors at the Belews Creek site"

Small modular reactors are compact nuclear power plants built from factory-made modules that are assembled onsite, like snapping together building blocks to add or replace capacity. They matter to investors because they aim to lower upfront costs and shorten construction time versus traditional reactors—potentially providing steady long-term power sales and service revenue—while still carrying regulatory, construction and waste-management risks that can affect returns.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Application advances licensing activities while reducing costs and risks for customers and investors

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy announced today its submission of an early site permit (ESP) application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, N.C., culminating two years of work. The submittal is part of the company's strategic, ongoing commitment to thoroughly evaluate new nuclear generation options to reliably meet the growing energy needs of its customers while reducing costs and risks.

Submitting an ESP application is a first for Duke Energy and a risk-mitigation strategy for the company as it pursues new nuclear generation options. An ESP is an optional NRC process that resolves environmental and site safety topics on the front end of a project and confirms a site's suitability for new nuclear generation. Having an approved permit reduces the risk of delays during licensing and construction if the company decides to build new nuclear units in Stokes County in the future.

"Nuclear energy has and will continue to play an essential role in powering communities in the Carolinas," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Submitting an early site permit application is an important next step in assessing the potential for small modular reactors at the Belews Creek site."

The ESP is technology neutral, allowing Duke Energy to receive the permit and select a technology later in the development process. The company's application includes six potential reactor technologies, including four small modular reactor designs and two non-light-water designs. Large light-water reactors, similar to the 11 units Duke Energy currently operates in the Carolinas, are not included in the permit application.

"We're taking a strategic approach to new nuclear development that allows us to advance licensing activities while reducing risks and allowing technologies to mature," said Duke Energy Chief Nuclear Officer Kelvin Henderson.

While Duke Energy has yet to make a decision to build new nuclear units, receiving an ESP provides future optionality for the company's customers and the communities it serves. If additional evaluation confirms small modular reactor technology at the Belews Creek site offers the best value for customers, the company plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear to the system by 2037, with the first small modular reactor coming on line in 2036.

For more information about advancing the future of energy in Stokes County, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Belews Creek, N.C., site webpage, duke-energy.com/stokes.

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: Bill Norton, 24-Hour: 800.559.3853

 

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

What did Duke Energy (DUK) file with the NRC on December 30, 2025?

Duke Energy filed an early site permit (ESP) application for a site near Belews Creek, Stokes County, North Carolina.

Does Duke Energy's ESP name a reactor technology in the DUK application?

No; the ESP is technology neutral and lists six candidate technologies to be selected later.

How much new nuclear capacity does Duke Energy plan under the Belews Creek option (DUK)?

Duke plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear to the system by 2037 if selected.

When does Duke Energy expect the first small modular reactor to be online (DUK)?

The company targets the first small modular reactor to come online in 2036.

How does an approved ESP affect Duke Energy (DUK) project risk?

An approved ESP resolves site environmental and safety topics up front and reduces licensing and construction risk.

Where is the proposed ESP site in Duke Energy’s (DUK) application?

The ESP application covers a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, North Carolina.