Texas is a powerhouse for energy production, historically driven by oil and natural gas, and recently becoming a global leader in wind power. As Texas experiences rapid population growth and increasing demand, the role of reliable, high-output sources like nuclear generation becomes important for grid stability.
Operational Nuclear Facilities in Texas
Texas operates two large-scale nuclear power plant sites housing a total of four operational reactors. These facilities provide a steady, around-the-clock source of power for the state’s grid.
The Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant is situated in Somervell County, southwest of Fort Worth, and is operated by Luminant Generation. This site contains two pressurized water reactors that have been generating electricity since the early 1990s.
The South Texas Project (STP) Generating Station is located in Matagorda County near Bay City, southwest of Houston. STP is managed by the STP Nuclear Operating Company and also includes two operational reactors.
The two sites have a combined electric generating capacity of approximately 5,000 megawatts. They operate at high capacity factors, running almost continuously, which makes them highly reliable generators for meeting energy consumption demands.
Nuclear Power’s Role in the Texas Energy Grid
The electricity generated feeds into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, which serves most of the state. Nuclear power provides baseload power, delivering a constant, non-intermittent supply of electricity regardless of weather conditions. This contrasts with sources like wind and solar, whose output fluctuates.
Nuclear power accounts for about 10% of the state’s total electricity generation, making it the fourth largest source. It follows natural gas (about half of the state’s power), wind, and coal.
The 5,000 MW of constant output is considered a bedrock of grid stability, especially during periods of high demand or extreme weather. This reliable generation is also emission-free, contributing to Texas’s clean energy portfolio. The sustained output helps balance the grid as the state integrates more intermittent renewable resources.
Future Development and Potential Expansion
Texas is actively exploring the expansion of nuclear capacity, focusing on next-generation technology, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). SMRs are advanced reactors designed to be smaller than conventional plants, offering greater flexibility in siting. These units typically generate up to 300 megawatts.
In 2023, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission to explore how the state could become a national leader in advanced nuclear energy. This led to the creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, focused on regulatory frameworks and incentives.
State initiatives include a proposal for a Texas Nuclear Energy Fund, potentially allocating $2 billion to support SMR development. An example of this expansion is the proposed project by X-energy and Dow, involving a construction permit application for an SMR at a manufacturing site in Seadrift. Furthermore, the Texas A&M University System is preparing to host SMR testing facilities at its RELLIS campus. The state views SMRs as a solution for meeting rapidly increasing demand from economic growth and new power consumers, such as data centers.