South Carolina leaders pitch nuclear future with new USC-Westinghouse partnership

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina leaders are betting the state’s nuclear industry can power both its energy future and its workforce.

During the third annual South Carolina Nuclear Summit in Columbia on Tuesday, Westinghouse Electric Company and the University of South Carolina announced a new partnership aimed at training the next generation of nuclear workers as demand for nuclear energy grows nationwide.

The effort comes as federal officials push to expand nuclear energy production, a priority backed by President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking at the summit, state and federal leaders described nuclear power as a key component of America’s future energy strategy and said South Carolina is well-positioned to play a leading role.

“I am confident that we are going to lead this nuclear renaissance,” Gov. Henry McMaster said.

McMaster has long advocated for expanding nuclear energy in South Carolina, calling it one of the cleanest and most efficient forms of power generation.

South Carolina already ranks among the nation’s leaders in nuclear energy production. Nuclear power supplies roughly 54% of the state’s electricity, making it the state’s largest source of power generation.

The newly announced partnership will be centered at USC’s planned Nuclear Innovation Center and is designed to support workforce development for future deployment of Westinghouse’s AP1000 nuclear reactors. Plans being explored include a first-of-its-kind nuclear training center featuring advanced reactor simulators, hands-on construction and maintenance labs, and multidisciplinary certificate programs for engineering students.

The AP1000 reactor is currently the only operational Generation III+ reactor technology in the United States and can generate enough electricity to power roughly 750,000 homes. The proposed training center would help prepare workers across multiple disciplines needed for future nuclear construction projects.

Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of USC’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, said the industry is entering a period of renewed growth after years of decline.

“Over my career, nuclear had really atrophied in the U.S., and now that it’s coming back, there’s no clear leader. We seem to be very close to the driver’s seat, and by doing this MOU and building this facility, we will be in the driver’s seat,” Haj-Hariri said.

Supporters argue the partnership could help create high-paying jobs while strengthening South Carolina’s position within the nation’s nuclear sector. Luca Oriani, president of New Plant Delivery for Westinghouse, said the collaboration could help establish South Carolina as a national leader in nuclear workforce development while supporting economic growth across the state.

Federal officials echoed that message.

“The time is now to do this. The golden age of nuclear is not behind us; it is upon us. It is happening right now, and it will take all of us working together to seize this moment,” said Alex Fitzsimmons, associate deputy secretary of energy and senior advisor to the secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy.

According to Westinghouse, the company has maintained a presence in South Carolina for more than 50 years and currently employs more than 2,200 workers across the state. Company officials say the new partnership represents a significant step toward building the workforce needed to support future nuclear projects and growing electricity demand.

Leaders at the summit said that if South Carolina can continue developing both its workforce and nuclear infrastructure, the state could further cement its role in what many describe as a new era for nuclear energy.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.