特朗普要砸800亿美元，重启成本飙升的“AP1000”大型核电项目，日本“买单”

Core Insights - The U.S. government plans to invest $80 billion to revive the domestic nuclear power industry in response to the surging electricity demand driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) sector [1] - The initiative will focus on constructing eight AP1000 reactors in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric and its owners, Brookfield Asset Management and Cameco, marking a significant shift in U.S. nuclear policy [1][3] - Japan is backing this investment with a commitment of up to $550 billion for critical infrastructure, allowing the U.S. government to profit from the project [2] Investment and Financial Structure - The U.S. government will share in the profits from Westinghouse Electric, receiving 20% of any earnings exceeding $17.5 billion [2] - The investment structure aims to leverage external capital for domestic infrastructure, benefiting both U.S. industries and Japanese manufacturing [4] Market Dynamics and Demand - The increasing electricity demand due to AI has made power shortages a critical bottleneck for development, prompting a renewed focus on large-scale reactors [3] - Analysts suggest that large reactors are more suitable for current market needs compared to small modular reactors (SMRs) [3] Challenges and Execution Risks - The plan faces significant execution risks, as evidenced by the costly and delayed Vogtle nuclear project, which exceeded its budget by over $30 billion [2][6] - The goal is to keep the overnight cost of each reactor below $10 billion, addressing the industry's historical issues of cost overruns and delays [6] Technical and Operational Considerations - Westinghouse Electric claims that the AP1000 technology is now free from technical, licensing, fuel supply, or regulatory risks, with the primary concern being project execution [6] - The strategy involves standardization and simplification to minimize risks, focusing on repetitive processes [6] Future Outlook and Uncertainties - While the vision is ambitious, there are uncertainties regarding site selection, participating companies, timelines, and workforce availability [7] - The U.S. government aims to signal strong demand for orders, which is crucial for building confidence and reducing costs in the nuclear sector [7]