5 major power plant developments under construction

Published September 5, 2025

As the demand for AI rises, electricity and energy consumption rise with it. This surge in energy use has sparked a new wave of power plant projects across North America. Data centers, electrification of buildings and vehicles, and greater industrial activity are the main drivers for new power plant production. Developments like Suncor Cogeneration Plant, the Greenlight MPC Gas Power Plant, and Cumberland Combined Cycle Gas Plant are under construction to support the growing power demand.

Major power plant projects being built in North America

1. Darlington New Nuclear Project

Location: Ontario, Canada
Expected timeline: 2030

Leading the way for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) advancement in Canada is the Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project. The Ontario government announced the plant’s expansion of 3 SMRs, pending regulatory approvals. Construction is currently underway, with an expected completion date before 2030.

The total energy output would be 1,200 megawatts, which is sufficient power to support approximately 1.2 million homes. The project’s main goal is to meet the province’s rising demand for electrification in homes, businesses, and cars.

2. Natrium Demonstration Project

Location: Wyoming, United States
Expected timeline: 2030

Developer Bechtel and TerraPower have partnered to construct the Natrium Demonstration Project, which will bring more sustainable energy to the Wyoming area and beyond for generations to come. The power plant project, part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, will utilize advanced nuclear technology to support decarbonization efforts.

The project uses a sodium fast reactor, offering carbon-free energy at a competitive cost, that’s ready to step in and integrate with old electric grids with better levels of renewables. The project supports energy storage, flexible power production, and will validate the features, design, and effectiveness of future Natrium projects.

3. FGE Texas Westbrook Gas Fired Power Plant

Location: Texas, United States
Expected timeline: 2027

This 1,486 megawatt gas-fired power plant project, developed by Starwood Energy Group Global, is expected to reach completion in 2027. It’s a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) project that runs on a dual-fuel combination of natural gas and ultra-low sulfur diesel. Currently, this development is in the permitting stage, with construction expected to kick off in early 2026.

4. CPV West Virginia CCGT Plant

Location: West Virginia, United States
Expected timeline: 2026

The upcoming power plant project in West Virginia is expected to produce 1,800 megawatts of thermal power. Developers Competitive Power Ventures will break ground this year, creating 2,000 jobs and a $3 billion price tag. This power plant will be a natural gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine power-generating facility.

Power generated from this plant won’t be made to supplement local power demands, but will instead be sent to a regional electricity grid for the wholesale market.

5. Cumberland Combined Cycle Gas Plant

Location: Tennessee, United States
Expected timeline: 2026

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is currently developing a new power plant project. The Cumberland Combined Cycle Gas Plant is set to replace the older Cumberland Fossil Plant and bring more efficient energy to the locals as part of TVA’s transition to a cleaner energy future. This new plant is expected to power 800,000 homes, with a total capacity of 1,450 megawatts.

The project is currently in the announcement phase and is expected to commence later this year. TVA is expecting a single-phase turnaround time, with the plant fully operational by 2026.

Is power plant construction growing in 2025?

Power plant developments are expected to grow in the coming years due to a number of reasons. First, as AI use continues to ramp across every industry, countries need to generate power that exceeds that use.

The second major reason for the rise in power plant construction is domestic manufacturing. Especially in the case of the United States under their current administration, there are increasing trade tensions between countries, and domestic manufacturing is an increasingly enticing alternative to navigating ever-changing tariff policies. The United States is expected to increase its power capacity by 63 gigawatts this year alone.

While energy production and consumption are on the rise, the overwhelming majority of new energy comes from solar power, battery storage, and other non-fossil fuel sources. In America’s case, 93% of the energy from new developments is carbon-free.

What to expect next in power plant construction

In terms of trends and changes for the future of power plant construction, we’re looking at more developments, but also more sustainability. We can expect this shift toward renewable energy sources to continue strengthening, and natural gas use to begin tapering.

And while it’s great to see our energy demands being met more sustainably, achieving global carbon goals requires an effort from everyone down the line. As these new facilities are being built, remember to unplug and enjoy some energy-free time outside.

Loved this article about the top power plant projects currently underway? Check out these articles that round up other global construction megaprojects.

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