this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2026
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They're a solution in search of a problem. Renewables and storage costs are so low that there's no business case for new nuclear, let alone the even more expensive SMRs.
The rapidly dropping cost of wind and solar has definitely tanked a lot of nuclear projects. The cost-benefit analysis done during the planning of a new nuclear plant is usually completely underwater 5 years later.
However, there are some areas where there isn't enough open ground for wind or solar installations, and nuclear would be a good option for replacing existing fossil fuel plants. Small modular reactors would be great for dense urban areas that are still supported by natural gas plants.
That's where HVDC comes in.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current
Do you have any examples of places where there isn't enough open ground for on or offshore wind or solar?
A boat deck (I'm being cheeky)