Xcel pitching modular nuclear power, officials tell Aurora lawmakers

AURORA | While Xcel Energy’s presentation to the Aurora City Council focused primarily on the utility’s near-term plans for renewable energy and natural gas, the company revealed that it is also exploring using small modular nuclear reactors as a potential long-term solution for its clean energy transition.

“We agree that nuclear power is potentially the advanced technology we’re going to need post 2030,” said Hollie Velasquez Horvath, regional vice president for Xcel.

During the Nov. 4 city council work session meeting, Excel Energy presented its goals of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, which could eventually mean nuclear energy. 

In response to Mayor Mike Coffman’s question about the possibility of nuclear energy as a carbon-free source, Velasquez Horvath said that the company has an operating agreement with a small modular reactor company to learn how to operate and potentially deploy SMR technology.

Horvath said nuclear energy, particularly SMRs, is a viable, carbon-free option for reliable power post-2030. She said they anticipate the first SMR could be tested by 2028 or 2029 for a possible transition after 2030.

Coffman expressed surprise that nuclear power was not more prominent in the utility’s presentation, given the potential for what he said could be advanced nuclear technologies to provide reliable, carbon-free electricity. Horvath said the current plans were focused on the 2030 timeframe but that nuclear remains an option for the company’s long-term decarbonization efforts.

As Xcel continues to refine its clean energy strategy, Horvath said that the role of nuclear power, particularly SMRs, could become an increasingly important part of the conversation around Colorado’s energy future.