EnergySolutions and WEC Energy Group are exploring new advanced nuclear generation at the retired Kewaunee plant, rather than a potential restart, a WEC spokesperson said.

The announcement comes amid renewed interest in nuclear to provide low-carbon energy as electricity demand rises. Some of that interest has centered on restarting decommissioned reactors, but much of it is focused on small modular reactors that experts say can be deployed more quickly and less expensively than traditional reactors. 

Only a few working small modular reactors exist in China and Russia, but North American companies are racing to design and bring one online.

Conway said there’s no consideration of restarting the old reactor on the site.

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