It appears unlikely that the US will build any more large conventional light-water nuclear power reactors once Vogtle-3 and -4 are completed, but the development of small modular reactors and microreactors might redefine the field, a report by the US National Academies says.

While larger, traditional nuclear plants are falling out of favour because of cost overruns and delays, various companies are developing SMRs rated at around 300 MW. These plants can be assembled in a factory and transported to the final location, cutting assembly time, cost and risk.

Microreactors are even smaller, rated at 0.2 MW to 10 MW, and can be transported as fully operational units by road or rail to provide power at the grid edge, in remote areas not served by the grid, or for use in emergency situations.