Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), a U.S. Army installation located northeast of Baltimore along the Chesapeake Bay, has been identified as a potential site for a next-generation commercial nuclear power plant. The initiative aims to introduce advanced nuclear technology while enhancing electricity supply to the regional grid.
The project involves combining natural gas generation with an advanced molten salt nuclear reactor developed by Terrestrial Energy, a nuclear technology firm based in North Carolina. Terrestrial Energy’s reactor design would produce approximately 390 megawatts, representing over 40 percent of the output from one of the two reactors at Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Although this type of reactor has not yet been deployed commercially, the company anticipates commissioning its first U.S. plants in the early 2030s.
The U.S. Army has conditionally awarded a long-term lease to Ameresco, a Massachusetts energy infrastructure company, to develop the power generation facilities on underutilized federal land at Aberdeen. Ameresco would be responsible for financing, constructing, and operating the plant, selling electricity into the regional market while also ensuring on-site backup power for APG in the event of grid outages. The federal government would maintain ownership of the land.
Separately, Fort Detrick, another Maryland military installation, is proposed to receive a fuel cell plant that uses natural gas or other fuels to generate electricity without combustion. This project is being developed through a partnership between Bloom Energy and Indelible, the latter having received a conditional lease award for the site.
The initiative is part of Maryland’s efforts to address growing electricity demand, concerns about future power supply reliability, and rising costs. The state’s average residential electricity price rose from 19.29 cents per kilowatt-hour in June 2025 to 21.84 cents this summer, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. Maryland’s Next Generation Energy Act mandates the state to seek proposals for new nuclear power generation beginning after 2027.
Officials have emphasized the importance of backup power capacity to maintain mission readiness and resilience at Army installations. Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, noted that these projects align with national energy priorities focused on promoting American energy leadership.
While the project could begin development as early as next year, initial operating capability is targeted by or before 2030. Formal lease agreements remain in preliminary stages, with construction contingent on the completion of required environmental reviews and regulatory permitting. These include compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Air and Water Acts, as well as all applicable federal, state, and local permits.
Experts note that while molten salt reactors offer certain advantages over conventional nuclear plants—such as operating at normal atmospheric pressure and having fewer complex components—the safety of deploying this newer technology will depend on adherence to thorough regulatory processes. Carlos Romero-Talamás, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County and a developer of fusion reactor systems, cautioned against rushing the project’s timeline.
Molten salt reactors have been tested experimentally at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since the 1960s. Oak Ridge continues to support the development of commercial molten salt reactor plants, highlighting the technology’s adaptability and potential operational benefits.
As Maryland looks to modernize and secure its energy infrastructure, the proposed developments at Aberdeen and Fort Detrick represent a strategic approach to integrating innovative nuclear and fuel cell technologies within the regional power landscape.