FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
April Wade
Executive Director, Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium
(703) 672-3883 | [email protected]
www.virginianuclear.org
Virginia’s Nuclear Industry Unveils 2025–2029 Strategic Plan to Power the Commonwealth’s Future
Arlington, VA – Virginia’s nuclear energy leaders have released the Virginia Is Nuclear 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, charting a path to meet rising energy demand, strengthen the workforce, and position the Commonwealth as a global hub for nuclear innovation, manufacturing, and research.
Developed by the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC) in coordination with the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority (VNECA) and the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy), and with input from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and Office of the Secretary of Education, the plan builds on the 2020–2024 roadmap and sets a new vision for meeting Virginia’s rising power demands with carbon-free nuclear power.
“Virginia is experiencing one of the highest electricity growth rates in the nation, and nuclear is essential to meeting that demand reliably and sustainably,” said April Wade, Executive Director of VNEC. “This plan brings together industry, academia, and government to expand innovation, workforce training, and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth.”
Powering Growth and Innovation
Virginia currently generates 32% of its total electricity and 82.7% of its carbon-free power from nuclear energy. The new plan outlines forward-looking strategies to accelerate the deployment of small modular and advanced reactors, expand the nuclear supply chain, and develop a research and education reactor facility through the Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub (VIN Hub).
Key goals include expanding workforce education and hands-on training programs through community colleges and universities, supporting public-private partnerships for research and technology transfer, attracting new investment in nuclear manufacturing and medicine, and ensuring grid stability for data centers, hospitals, and military installations.
Voices from Virginia’s Innovation and Economic Community
“Virginia’s nuclear sector is a cornerstone of our advanced manufacturing economy,” added Jason El Koubi, President and CEO at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). “This strategic plan aligns with our statewide goal of attracting high-tech, high-wage jobs while keeping Virginia competitive in the global clean-energy market.”
“The Virginia Department of Energy is proud to collaborate on this strategic plan, which reinforces our commitment to advancing affordable, reliable, and increasingly clean energy for the Commonwealth,” said Glenn Davis, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “Nuclear energy is a vital part of Virginia’s energy mix—supporting our economy, ensuring grid reliability, and preparing our workforce for the technologies of the future.”
“From powering aircraft carriers to enabling missions to Mars, nuclear energy is central to our national security and future prosperity,” said Tom DePonty, Chairman of the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority (VNECA). “This plan ensures the Commonwealth remains at the forefront of these efforts while strengthening Virginia’s position as a leader in defense, innovation, and energy resilience.”
“This plan reinforces Virginia’s leadership in advanced energy innovation,” said Jeff Whitt, Executive Director of the Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub (VIN Hub). “By prioritizing research, education, and training to support the deployment of nuclear technologies, we are growing a pipeline for the deployment of new reactors, advancements in medical isotopes, and space nuclear systems—all within Virginia’s borders.”
Virginia: A National Leader in Clean Energy and Security
With more than 54,000 Virginians employed in essential nuclear-related fields and $7.1 billion in annual economic impact, Virginia’s nuclear industry continues to drive economic growth and national security. Companies such as BWX Technologies, Framatome, and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding are working to sustain our existing nuclear fleet and leading developments in advanced reactors, defense propulsion, and space exploration.
“Nuclear energy powers more than homes and businesses—it powers opportunity,” Wade said. “Through collaboration and innovation, the Commonwealth of Virginia is defining the future of clean, reliable energy.”
The full Virginia Is Nuclear 2025–2029 Strategic Plan is available at http://virginianuclear.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Virginia-Strategic-Plan-for-Nuclear-Energy.pdf.
###
The Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC) was established by Virginia statute in 2013 and formally created in 2015 to promote, support, and advance the nuclear industry in the Commonwealth. VNEC fosters collaboration among industry partners, colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations to address shared needs and opportunities in research, innovation, and workforce development.
To learn more about VNEC please go to www.virginianuclear.org.