Construction of ten reactors could generate billions in GDP
Building a fleet of ten AP1000 nuclear reactors in the US could generate $92.8bn (€85bn) in gross domestic product (GDP) and support an average workforce of more than 44,000 jobs annually during a 13-year construction phase, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) study conducted for Westinghouse.
Westinghouse announced plans in July 2025 to deploy ten AP1000 units in the US, with construction intended to begin by 2030. The 11.5 GW fleet is expected to support the US government's aim to quadruple nuclear energy capacity from around 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.
The PwC analysis, based on economic modelling using Westinghouse data, calculates economic impacts at three levels: direct effects from spending on labour and capital; indirect effects from activity in the supply chain; and induced effects from consumer spending by employees in those supply chains.
The report found that during construction, direct GDP impact alone is projected at $39.2bn, with indirect and induced effects adding a further $53.6bn. The study estimates $20.1bn in tax revenues over the construction period.
Over a minimum 80-year operating lifespan, the cumulative GDP impact is estimated at $1.03tn, the report said. Over the same period, estimations are also for $329bn in labour income and $271bn in tax revenues.
PwC also said it projects around 5,000 direct operational jobs once the AP1000 fleet is running, with the total workforce including indirect and induced roles estimated at 22,500.
The AP1000 is a Generation III+ pressurised water reactor with net electrical output of 1,117 MW.
Six AP1000 reactors are currently in operation worldwide. Two units are operating at the Vogtle nuclear station in the US state of Georgia. Four units are operating in China at the Sanmen and Haiyang nuclear power stations.
Two additional AP1000 units at the V.C. Summer project in South Carolina were suspended in 2017 after cost overruns.
Westinghouse said it has 14 additional AP1000 under construction, all in China, and five more under contract in Poland and Bulgaria.
