Overnight Capital Cost
Total capital cost of a power plant if constructed instantly, excluding financing, interest during construction, and escalation. Nuclear: $6,000-12,000/kW.
Represents engineering, procurement, construction costs at bid date. AP1000 Vogtle units hit $12,000+/kW due to delays; SMR targets $3,000-5,000/kW. Basis for LCOE inputs.
Why it matters now
Overnight cost metrics guide 2025-2026 SMR investments and hyperscaler financing. Reductions via modularization key to competing in capacity markets.
Related reactors
AP1000