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Denver International Airport Commissions Feasibility Study for Small Nuclear Reactor
Denver International Airport (DIA) is exploring the possibility of building a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) on its campus, as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and meet growing electricity demands. The airport has commissioned a $1.25 million feasibility study, expected to take 6 to 12 months, to assess the viability of this ambitious project.
The study's objective is to determine if SMRs can reliably provide clean, carbon-free base-load power to support the airport’s forecasted growth in energy needs as passenger volumes rise to 120 million annually by 2045. The study will examine the technical and regulatory feasibility, potential costs, funding opportunities, safety and security implications, and environmental impacts of deploying SMR technology onsite.
Many SMR designs under consideration use coolants such as molten salts or liquid metals, which could allow modular “stackable” and scalable construction adaptable to the airport’s expanding energy requirements. DIA currently requires about 45 MW of power, but needs are projected to grow significantly with airport expansion and increased passenger traffic.
The airport aims to become the “greenest” airport globally by generating clean power onsite to cut carbon emissions and attract energy-intensive industries, complementing existing renewable energy investments like solar arrays and electric vehicle fleets. However, the study has faced controversy, with environmental critics expressing concerns about nuclear waste, safety, and costs.
The study was briefly delayed in early August 2025 following public pushback, but remains a critical step for DIA to understand whether SMRs can be integrated safely and cost-effectively into its future clean energy strategy. The study will not involve the actual construction of the nuclear reactor but will provide recommendations for potential next steps.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Phil Washington, airport CEO, announced a request for proposals for a study on the feasibility of building a small nuclear reactor at Denver International Airport on Wednesday. The study will evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a small nuclear reactor at DIA, focusing on the feasibility of constructing such a reactor on the airport’s campus.
In summary, the feasibility study for building an SMR at Denver International Airport focuses on evaluating the technical, economic, environmental, and regulatory factors to determine if SMRs can provide a reliable, scalable, and carbon-free power source to meet the airport’s expanding electricity demands while advancing its sustainability goals. The study is an important step in exploring the potential of nuclear energy as a sustainable energy source for Denver International Airport. No specific timeline for the completion of the study has been disclosed.
The feasibility study at Denver International Airport considers the potential integration of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) into the airport's future clean energy strategy, exploring funding opportunities and assessing safety, security, and environmental implications. This study aligns with DIA's aim to become a leader in renewable energy, attracting energy-intensive industries and reducing carbon emissions.
In line with this endeavor, the study also examines the technical feasibility of deploying SMR technology onsite, as well as the potential costs associated with its implementation, to assess if it can provide a reliable, scalable, and carbon-free power source to support the airport’s growing energy needs.
