WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a federal loan program worth up to $17.5 billion aimed at accelerating the construction of 10 large-scale nuclear reactors in the United States, as officials seek to expand electricity generation capacity amid growing demand from data centers and other energy-intensive industries.
The U.S. Department of Energy said the financing would be provided through conditional loans designed to support the purchase of long-lead components and other equipment needed to rebuild the domestic commercial nuclear supply chain. According to the department, the initiative is intended to support up to five projects, each consisting of two reactors based on the AP1000 design developed by [Westinghouse Electric Company](https://www.westinghouse.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the program could help advance the administration’s goal of having 10 new large reactors under construction by 2030. Officials said the financing could shorten development timelines by as much as three years by enabling bulk procurement of critical equipment and supporting expansion of manufacturing capacity.
“This is the start,” Wright told reporters during a briefing. “We’re going to move with the players that are ready to stand up and move quickly.”
The Department of Energy said seven utilities and energy companies have signed letters of intent identifying potential project sites, although the agency declined to disclose the companies or locations, saying selections have not yet been finalized. The department plans to choose five projects, each expected to host two reactors.
Under the program, Westinghouse and participating utilities would be required to contribute equity before accessing federal loan funds. Officials said the loans are intended primarily for supply-chain and equipment purchases rather than full construction financing.
The announcement comes as the administration pursues broader efforts to expand nuclear energy production. President Donald Trump has called for a significant increase in domestic nuclear generation and has signed executive orders intended to accelerate reactor development and licensing.
Supporters of expanded nuclear power argue that additional generation capacity will be needed to meet rising electricity demand, particularly from artificial intelligence and data-center operations. Critics have raised concerns about costs and the history of delays and budget overruns associated with recent reactor projects in the United States.
The Department of Energy said the loans remain conditional and will require participating projects to satisfy technical, legal, environmental, and financial requirements before funds are disbursed. Project selections and final financing agreements have not yet been announced.
