DOE’s UPRISE Initiative Targets 5 GW Nuclear Capacity Boost by 2029
Event summary
- DOE launched UPRISE initiative on March 12, 2026, targeting 2.5 GW of additional nuclear capacity by 2027 and 5 GW by 2029.
- UPRISE focuses on power uprates, reactor restarts, and extending operating lifespans of existing facilities.
- DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing offers up to 80% financing for eligible project costs at attractive rates.
- Lightbridge’s proprietary fuel technology aims to enhance safety margins and support future capacity expansion.
The big picture
The UPRISE initiative aligns with President Trump’s 2025 executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear capacity by 2050. Power uprates represent a cost-effective pathway to expanding nuclear energy, historically adding 8.5 GW of capacity at a fraction of new construction costs. Lightbridge’s advanced fuel technology positions the company to support future capacity goals beyond initial conventional uprate methods.
What we're watching
- Technology Adoption
- How Lightbridge Fuel will integrate with UPRISE’s conventional uprate methods in the 2030s.
- Regulatory Approvals
- The pace at which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission processes additional uprate applications.
- Financing Impact
- Whether DOE’s financing terms will accelerate private sector participation in nuclear uprates.