US Electricity Increasingly Relies on Nuclear Power, Here Is Its Strength
The energy landscape of the United States (US) is undergoing significant changes. Amid the push for energy transition and a surge in electricity demand, an important question arises: which electricity source most consistently supports the system?
The latest data from the EIA (Energy Information Administration) indicates that not all energy sources have the same level of reliability. Some operate stably around the clock, while others heavily depend on weather conditions.
Importance of the Capacity Factor Indicator
One key indicator is the capacity factor, which measures how often a power plant operates compared to its maximum capacity.
The higher the value, the more consistent the electricity supply produced, whereas a low value signals intermittency and the need for additional support to maintain stability.
Below is a table showing US energy sources ranked by capacity factor for 2025:
Nuclear and Gas as the Backbone of Stability
In terms of electricity supply consistency, nuclear energy holds the top position. Nuclear power plants are known for operating almost non-stop (baseload), thus generating electricity stably around the clock.
Additionally, nuclear is recognised as the most optimal energy source with a capacity factor of up to 91% in 2025.
Besides nuclear, natural gas is also the most reliable energy source in the United States. Natural gas remains the largest contributor to meeting electricity needs in the era of AI technology surge and data centres. This is because natural gas energy infrastructure can be built more quickly, and its electricity is stable with a capacity factor of up to 58%.
In contrast to nuclear and natural gas, wind and solar energy only have capacity factors of around 34% and 24%, respectively, making their production tend to be inconsistent.
This is due to their high dependence on weather conditions. To maintain supply stability, supporting installations such as energy storage or backup power plants are required, which generally incur significantly higher additional costs.
Utilities Beginning to Shift to More Reliable Energy
Several private electricity companies in the United States are starting to prioritise the development of energy sources with high capacity factors to ensure a stable supply amid surging electricity demand.
For example, Duke Energy has applied for a permit to build a nuclear power plant on 30 December 2025 at Belews Creek, North Carolina.
On the other hand, Georgia Power is formulating a long-term strategy to ensure a stable electricity supply as needs increase in the state of Georgia.
This strategy includes adding reliable power plants and strengthening the electricity grid, as reflected in the approval of the 2025 IRP (Integrated Resource Plan).
The ambitions of major private electricity companies in this context affirm that the energy transition agenda is increasingly serious. Looking ahead, creating reliable renewable energy with high capacity factors becomes one of the main challenges in maintaining energy resilience, especially amid the rapidly increasing electricity demand surge.