Research, funded by a DOE grant, will build on initial study
to further assess feasibility for new nuclear at company sites
should technology become commercially viable
LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing effort to
evaluate all options for future replacement of aging generation,
and to better support energy-intensive customers with zero-carbon
objectives, PPL Corporation subsidiaries Louisville Gas and
Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company will build on an
earlier assessment of nuclear feasibility at the site of an
existing Kentucky coal-fired power
plant by exploring additional locations and partnerships that could
support nuclear energy in the commonwealth.
"We understand that achieving our goal of net-zero carbon
emissions will be challenging, and we continue to pursue an
all-of-the-above technology strategy to replace aging generation
with a cleaner, more diverse energy mix capable of safely, reliably
and affordably meeting our customers' future energy needs and
supporting continued economic growth," said Vincent Sorgi, president and chief executive
officer of PPL.
As with earlier feasibility assessments at LG&E and KU's
Ghent Generation Station in Ghent,
Ky., PPL's Research and Development team plans to partner
with Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN), a U.S.
Department of Energy initiative, and nuclear design engineering
company X-Energy in the next phase of assessments.
"Nuclear energy is a carbon-free solution that has the potential
to meet our customers' needs and support manufacturing and data
center growth, particularly if technology such as nuclear small
modular reactors (SMRs) become more cost-competitive," said Sorgi.
"These in-depth studies are important to determining whether
nuclear energy at our locations may be a viable solution moving
forward."
PPL and GAIN's prior study at the Ghent facility determined that the site is
suitable for a nuclear SMR plant, but would have potential size
constraints for a larger traditional nuclear reactor.
Phase two of the study will explore alternative locations and
industrial partnerships that could enable energy-intensive
customers, including manufacturers and data centers, to achieve
their zero-carbon objectives while maintaining reliability and
affordability.
About PPL
PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a leading U.S.
energy company focused on providing electricity and natural gas
safely, reliably and affordably to more than 3.5 million customers
in the U.S. PPL's high-performing, award-winning utilities are
addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more
resilient and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable
energy solutions. For more information, visit www.pplweb.com.
About Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear
The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) is a
U.S. Department of Energy initiative that provides the nuclear
community with access to the technical, regulatory, and financial
support necessary to move innovative nuclear energy technologies
toward commercialization. GAIN's mission is to support the
development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
Note to Editors: Visit our media website at www.pplnewsroom.com
for additional news about PPL Corporation.
Contacts: For news media: Ryan
Hill, 610-774-4033 (PPL); Liz
Pratt, 502-627-4999 (LG&E and KU)
For financial analysts: Andy Ludwig,
610-774-3389
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SOURCE PPL Services Corporation