The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a waiver request from NextEra Energy, paving the way for the company to begin the process of restarting the 601 MW Duane Arnold nuclear power facility in Iowa (US). With the waiver granted, the plant could potentially resume commercial operations by 2030.
Duane Arnold is a single-unit boiling water reactor that began commercial service in 1975. NextEra Energy acquired a 70% ownership stake in 2006 and operated the facility until its decommissioning in 2020. As demand for power surged with the rapid growth of data centers and AI technologies in 2024, the company initiated a development and execution plan to bring the plant back online.
In its waiver request, NextEra noted that key equipment required for recommissioning—including generator step-up transformers—will not be delivered until 2028. The company also highlighted that it is currently working to reinstate the plant’s operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a process that includes safety reviews, environmental assessments, and public consultations, all of which could introduce potential delays.
Meanwhile, in July 2025, the NRC approved major licensing actions for two other U.S. nuclear projects. It authorised Holtec International to proceed with the restart of the 800 MW Palisades nuclear Plant in Michigan and granted a 20-year license extension to the 1.3 GW Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Ohio, operated by Vistra.
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