Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to increase the state's nuclear capacity by 5 GW. This initiative aims to reach a total of 8.4 GW, more than doubling the current 3.4 GW generated by four reactors across three plants.
The project is divided into two segments: the New York Power Authority will develop at least 1 GW in Upstate New York, while the Public Service Commission will manage a procurement process for the remaining 4 GW.
In June 2026, the New York Power Authority issued a request for qualifications. The initiative attracted 23 developer teams, and eight communities in Upstate New York expressed interest in hosting the new facilities.
Projected costs for the 5 GW expansion range from $15,4 billion to $23,9 billion over 25 years. Analysts estimate annual benefits of $2,89 billion to $3,94 billion by 2050, including fuel cost savings.
Projects starting construction by 2033 may qualify for federal tax credits. This expansion is driven by rising electricity demand from data centers and transportation electrification, complementing existing wind and solar investments.
