NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. electric utility

Entergy ( ETR ) is looking to expand its nuclear power output by

upgrading its existing plants across the U.S. South while it

considers advanced nuclear technologies, company executives said

on Tuesday.

U.S. nuclear power, which is virtually carbon free, has been

in high demand in recent years, particularly as Big Tech

grapples with balancing growing electricity needs with

climate-driven energy pledges.

Entergy ( ETR ) recently completed a refueling outage at its River

Bend nuclear plant and plans work at the site that will clear

the way for expanding the 967-megawatt St. Francisville,

Louisiana, plant by about 40 MW, the company said on an earnings

call with investors.

The power company is considering adding 275 MW of nuclear

electric capacity through other upgrades of its existing fleet.

It has also secured a site permit for a new nuclear reactor

in Mississippi and is in discussion with potential buyers of any

power that would be produced from a potential plant.

Advanced nuclear technologies, like small modular reactors,

are untested in the U.S. New nuclear builds have typically faced

cost overruns, with some being abandoned during construction due

to regulatory restraints.

Entergy ( ETR ) is attempting to manage construction risk with any

nuclear build, said Entergy ( ETR ) CEO Drew Marsh on the call.

"We need to be able to solve that commercial question up

front to move forward with nuclear on a more rapid pace," Marsh

said.