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Where Is the Biggest Nuclear Power Plant in the U.S.? Top 20 List for 2025

June 2, 2025

As of 2025, the position of the largest nuclear power plant in the United States belongs to the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia. There are 54 nuclear power plant facilities in the U.S., with 94 commercial reactors, making the country’s net generating capacity about 97 gigawatts, resulting in nearly 19% of electricity generation for the nation. Some plants are larger and more productive than others, but a few have been recognized for leading American nuclear energy. Let’s take a closer look at the 20 largest U.S. nuclear plants ranked by net capacity.

Top 20 Largest U.S. Nuclear Power Plants in 2025

Rank	Power Plant Name	State	Units	Generator ID	Net Capacity (MW)
1	Vogtle	Georgia	4	649	4,658
2	Palo Verde	Arizona	3	6,008	3,937
3	Browns Ferry	Alabama	3	46	3,662
4	South Texas Project	Texas	2	6,251	2,645
5	Oconee	South Carolina	3	3,265	2,500
6	Peach Bottom	Pennsylvania	2	3,166	2,549
7	Susquehanna	Pennsylvania	2	6,103	2,494
8	Comanche Peak	Texas	2	6,145	2,400
9	Braidwood	Illinois	2	6,022	2,337
10	McGuire	North Carolina	2	6,038	2,316
11	Byron	Illinois	2	6,023	2,300
12	Salem	New Jersey	2	2,410	2,285
13	Sequoyah	Tennessee	2	6,152	2,278
14	LaSalle	Illinois	2	6,026	2,264
15	Watts Bar	Tennessee	2	7,722	2,245
16	Limerick	Pennsylvania	2	6,105	2,242
17	Diablo Canyon	California	2	6,099	2,240
18	North Anna	Virginia	2	6,168	1,892
19	Grand Gulf	Mississippi	1	6,072	1,401
20	Callaway	Missouri	1	6,153	1,190

The Largest Nuclear Power Plant: Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Georgia

In the U.S., the Vogtle power plant in Georgia’s southeast has the biggest net capacity With the start of units 3 and 4 at the Vogtle plant in 2023 and 2024, the plant rapidly increased capacity by 1.1 GW. The opening of the new units at Vogtle was important since this had not happened for reactors in the United States since the 1990s.

Other Major Players in the U.S. Nuclear Fleet

Following Vogtle, several other plants rank among the largest by capacity:

Palo Verde Generating Station (Arizona): Once the largest nuclear facility, the plant now provides energy for more than 4 million homes and businesses in the Southwest each year, generating more than 32 million megawatt-hours Since it’s the only U.S. nuclear plant in a desert, its cooling system uses purified wastewater.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (Alabama): Much of the Southeast’s electrical power comes from Browns Ferry, which has three reactors and can generate over 8 GW.
South Texas Project (Texas): The two reactors at this plant produce around 64 GW of energy for a region that is growing quickly.
Oconee Nuclear Station (South Carolina): There are three reactors here; the station is designed to supply about 5 GW of electricity.

Peach Bottom (Pennsylvania), Diablo Canyon (California), Watts Bar (Tennessee), and Susquehanna (Pennsylvania) are some other notable plants that can produce between 2 and 2.7 GW.

Distribution and Operators

Some nuclear plants in the United States have just one reactor, but some have up to four. The U.S.’ top operators are Maryland-based Constellation Energy, leading with plants that produce 22.8 GW, and Duke Energy, holding second place with plants that produce 11.2 GW. Much of the nation’s nuclear operations rely on these businesses.

Conclusion

The electricity supply of the U.S. depends greatly on the top 20 nuclear power plants in 2025, which provide large amounts of power, reliability, and clean energy. Plant Vogtle demonstrates the U.S. has had a long association with nuclear energy and will continue to look forward regarding its uses. Achieving both energy security and climate goals will be largely achieved through these plants as the country moves away from fossil fuels. For a balanced, strong, and environmentally friendly energy system, we ought to keep running and carefully build up nuclear power.

FAQs

How many nuclear power plants are there in the United States?

There are currently 93 commercial nuclear reactors operating at 54 nuclear power plants across the United States.

Which U.S. state has the most nuclear power plants?

Illinois has the most nuclear power plants, with 11 commercial reactors at six sites.

Where is the largest nuclear power plant in the U.S. located, and what is its name and capacity?

The largest nuclear power plant in the U.S. is the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, located in Georgia. It has four reactors with a combined net capacity of 4,658 megawatts, making it the most powerful nuclear facility as of 2025.

In which states are nuclear power plants located?

Nuclear power plants are located in more than 28 states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Arizona.

Who are the largest nuclear power companies in the United States?

The largest nuclear power companies in the U.S. include Constellation Energy, which operates plants with a total capacity of 22.8 GW, and Duke Energy, with 11.2 GW. Southern Company and Entergy also operate several major nuclear plants.

How many active nuclear power plants and nuclear reactors are in the U.S.?

As of April 30, 2024, the U.S. hosts 54 active commercial nuclear power plants housing a total of 94 operating nuclear reactors, spread across 28 states. These 54 plants range in size from single‑reactor facilities to larger multi‑unit sites. The 94 reactors contribute roughly 97 gigawatts (GW) of net electric generating capacity, supplying about 19% of the nation’s electricity.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Certrec. This content is meant for informational purposes only.