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The U.S. Department of Energy anticipates that nuclear capacity in the country could potentially triple from 100 gigawatts in 2024 to 300 gigawatts by 2050. This prediction underscores the pressing demand for decarbonization efforts and non-stop energy supply, particularly in the context of the tech industry's energy needs.
Despite the optimism surrounding SMRs, challenges remain. Concerns about the management of radioactive waste persist, along with the fact that, while various discussions and plans for SMRs have proliferated, none have yet opened in the United States. Doug Vine, director of energy analysis at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, noted that the cost dynamics of SMRs are evolving and still not entirely predictable.