Denver airport contemplating onsite reactor

Denver International Airport (DEN) announced it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study the feasibility of building a small modular reactor (SMR) on the airport campus.

It said the feasibility study - expected to cost up to USD1.25 million and to take 6-12 months to complete - will consider whether an SMR is a viable option to meet the airport's long-term electricity needs, available technologies, estimated costs, funding options, risks, and regulatory requirements. 

The airport said it has been "actively planning for a future when 120+ million passengers are expected to transit the airport annually, anticipated by 2045".

DEN CEO Phil Washington said: "We will need a sustainable power supply to meet the demands of airport assets, as well as our safety and customer experience goals. DEN has already invested in renewable energy sources, including building solar arrays across 100 acres of DEN land, constructing the state's largest Energy Performance Contract that is saving electricity, natural gas, and water, increasing our electric vehicle fleet, achieving LEED Gold and Platinum certification for new construction projects, and more.

"But we must plan now and explore all possible options so that we are prepared for the future. We recognise that the technology is still relatively new and there is much to learn, which is why DEN will conduct a feasibility study to gather facts and information about whether SMRs could potentially help the airport meet its energy demand and clean energy goals in the future, as well as potential challenges. We know that anything we would do would require significant investment and that SMRs are complex. So, we are keeping an open mind, learning more and continuing to responsibly plan for the airport's future."

DEN said that once the study is completed, it, along with its partners, "will evaluate the findings and determine next steps".

"As we work to make DEN the greenest airport in the world, we must explore every innovative solution available to meet the demands of a growing city and a changing climate," said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. "Studying the potential of small modular nuclear reactors is a forward-looking step in understanding how we can deliver reliable, clean energy at scale. This is about thoughtful planning, long-term sustainability, and our commitment to a healthier planet for generations to come."