By Laila Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. power company Duke Energy is considering adding large nuclear reactors to its fleet and extending the life of some coal plants as part of a long-term energy plan aimed at meeting sharply rising electricity demand in the Carolinas.

Electric utilities across the U.S. are boosting power infrastructure plans to account for rapid growth in electricity consumption, driven by AI data centers, the electrification of transportation and buildings as well as a resurgence in domestic manufacturing.

The recent surge in power use has sparked renewed interest in nuclear energy, which produces around-the-clock electrons that are virtually carbon-free.

“We’re seeing energy needs over the next 15 years that are expected to grow at eight times the growth rate of

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