Denver International Airport, the country’s third-busiest airport, is exploring the possibility of building a small nuclear reactor on its campus to help meet growing demands for electricity and cut the use of carbon-emitting power.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Phil Washington, airport CEO, said Wednesday that DIA has put out a request for proposals for a study on the feasibility of building a small modular nuclear reactor onsite. The reactors under development in the U.S. are significantly smaller in size than a conventional nuclear facility and produce a fraction of the power.
Washington said the airport is expected to see more than 120 million passengers by 2045. A record-breaking 82.3 million traveled through DIA in 2024, up 5.8% from 2023.
“We will need a sustainable power supply to meet the demands of airport assets, as well as our safety and customer experience goals,” Washington said in a statement before a news conference on the announcement.
The airport, the sixth-busiest in the world, gets its electricity from Xcel Energy. About 30% of its electricity comes from solar energy. Washington said the airport has increased its electric vehicle fleet and is saving electricity, natural gas and water through energy efficiency measures.
“But we must plan now and explore all possible options so that we are prepared for the future,” Washington said.
Interest in small modular nuclear reactors has grown along with concerns about climate change and forecasts of escalating demands for electricity, driven in part by the spread of power-intensive data centers. More electric vehicles on the roads and electrification of buildings are also generating the push for more power on the grid.
Xcel, Colorado’s largest electric utility, said the demand on its system could grow at a compounded rate of 4% through 2031, compared with an average annual rate of 0.7% over the past five years.
The Colorado General Assembly passed a law this year that adds nuclear power to the list of clean energy resources. Utilities can use it to meet state clean energy goals.
An advisory committee of labor, business and civic leaders recommended that Xcel Energy consider building small reactors when it closes the Comanche coal plant in Pueblo by the end of 2030.
While reversing several of the Biden administration’s renewable energy incentives and programs, the Trump administration has directed the Department of Energy to use “all available legal authorities” to approve the design and construction of advanced nuclear reactor technology.
However, none of the 94 commercial nuclear plants operating in the U.S. are small modular reactors. Several companies are in various stages of designing and developing small reactors. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensed two reactor designs by NuScale Power Corp.
But NuScale’s project with a group of municipal power systems in Utah fell apart in 2023 when not enough subscribers signed up. The Deseret News reported that subscribers started dropping out after the permitting process dragged on and costs became uncertain.
Washington said DIA recognizes that the technology is new and there’s much to learn. The feasibility study, which will cost up to $1.25 million, will look to answer such questions as whether small nuclear reactors a viable solution for DIA; what are the different types of the technology; what is the potential cost and financing options.
The study is expected to take six to 12 months to complete.
“Studying the potential of small modular nuclear reactors is a responsible step in understanding how we can deliver reliable, clean energy at scale,” Johnston said. “This is about thoughtful planning, long-term sustainability, and our commitment to a healthier planet for generations to come.”
The Fort St. Vrain nuclear power plant near Platteville ran for about 10 years. Xcel Energy closed the plant due to ongoing operational problems. The nuclear plant was decommissioned in 1989 and later converted to natural gas.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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