Wisconsin’s Dead Nuclear Plant Rises Again: Kewaunee Site Eyed For 2038 Rebirth

While Wisconsin’s Kewaunee Power Station has sat dormant since its 2013 closure, new plans are emerging to breathe life back into the nuclear facility. EnergySolutions, which bought the site in 2022 initially for decommissioning, announced in 2025 that it would pursue a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license to potentially reopen the plant.

The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Terrestrial Energy to explore building Integral Molten Salt Reactor plants at the former nuclear site. These advanced reactors use molten salt as fuel or coolant and can operate at atmospheric pressure with improved safety features. EnergySolutions announced its collaboration with WEC Energy Group to explore new nuclear generation possibilities in Wisconsin.

Kewaunee originally operated as a 574-megawatt pressurized water reactor from 1974 until its closure in 2013. The plant had received a license renewal that would have allowed operation until 2033, but economic factors led to its shutdown, leaving Point Beach as Wisconsin’s only operating nuclear plant.

Rising energy demand across Wisconsin is driving interest in reviving the site. New data centers require significant power, while traditional electricity sources are being reduced. The Department of Energy has identified Kewaunee as a viable location for advanced nuclear deployment. This renewed interest follows growing recognition that nuclear power delivers environmental benefits through its minimal carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel alternatives.

Wisconsin’s growing energy demands and the Department of Energy’s endorsement make Kewaunee an ideal candidate for next-generation nuclear technology.

If approved, the new reactor project would create over 300 construction jobs and more than 100 permanent positions. Local leaders are optimistic about the economic benefits, including an improved tax base and support for community services. The combined installation of the reactor and data center is projected to generate an annual economic impact of $87 million for the region.

The revival would position Wisconsin at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technology. Molten salt reactors offer higher efficiency and can complement renewable energy sources by providing reliable baseload power when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing.

EnergySolutions is beginning the regulatory process while continuing site decommissioning work. The effort aligns with national energy strategies focused on clean power generation.

Though no firm timeline exists yet, the project represents a potential new chapter for a site once considered permanently closed.