Regulators Extended the AP1000 Through 2066. Now a Developer Wants Up to 6 in Kentucky. One Stock Owns 49% of Westinghouse.
Nuclear power is highly regulated, but Westinghouse's flagship reactor just got some good news (and so did part owner Cameco).
In late 2023, Cameco, a uranium mining and processing company, partnered with Brookfield Asset Management and Brookfield Renewable Partners to acquire a 49% stake in Westinghouse, a leading service provider in the nuclear power industry. This move aimed to diversify Cameco's revenue and earnings, which are heavily influenced by commodity markets due to uranium prices.
Westinghouse's business model offers a more stable income stream, smoothing out fluctuations in uranium markets. Recently, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) updated its assessment of Westinghouse's flagship AP1000 reactor, based on the performance of Southern Company's Vogtle 3 and 4 power plants. The NRC has now granted permission for companies to utilize this design until 2066, a significant development given the high costs and long construction times associated with nuclear reactors.
Shortly after this update, The Nuclear Company, a privately held entity, announced its intent to construct up to six AP1000 reactors in Kentucky, a move that could signal a substantial growth opportunity for Westinghouse. This positive development has altered the broader narrative surrounding Cameco's investment in Westinghouse, as it could lead to increased demand for nuclear fuel from new constructions and the construction industry itself.
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