A growing U.S. power shortfall is accelerating interest in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), with developers targeting 1.5 gigawatts of new capacity by 2030. Key energy and tech firms are positioning for a potential infrastructure shift that could reshape electricity generation and investment flows.
- U.S. electricity demand is projected to exceed supply by 12% by 2030.
- SMR projects aim to deliver 1.5 gigawatts of new capacity by 2030.
- NuScale, X-energy, and Holtec are leading SMR developers with active projects.
- SMRs generate 50–300 megawatts and can power up to 100,000 homes each.
- SPWR ETF rose 8.2% following SMR deployment announcements.
- Potential $30 billion in private investment in nuclear infrastructure over five years.
The United States faces a looming electricity deficit, with demand projected to outpace supply by 12% by 2030 due to rising data center activity, electrification of transport, and climate-driven cooling needs. In response, the federal government and private sector are increasingly turning to small modular reactors (SMRs) as a scalable, low-carbon solution. The Department of Energy has committed over $1.5 billion in funding to advance SMR deployment, with three projects in advanced development stages: NuScale’s design in Idaho, X-energy’s facility in Texas, and Holtec’s in New Mexico. These reactors, typically generating between 50 and 300 megawatts each, offer faster construction timelines—under five years—compared to traditional nuclear plants, which often take a decade or more. A single SMR unit can power approximately 100,000 homes, and developers aim to deploy up to 150 units by 2035. The projected capacity addition of 1.5 gigawatts by 2030 would represent a 15% increase in current U.S. nuclear output, according to independent energy modeling. Companies with exposure to the nuclear supply chain are seeing renewed investor interest. NextEra Energy (NEE) has announced plans to integrate SMRs into its clean energy portfolio, while ExxonMobil (XOM) has partnered with TerraPower to explore co-location of SMRs with carbon capture facilities. Meanwhile, Palantir Technologies (PLTR) is providing data analytics platforms for reactor design optimization and operational monitoring, and Tesla (TSLA) is exploring SMR-powered battery manufacturing hubs to ensure grid resilience. The market response has been immediate: the SPWR ETF, which tracks U.S. nuclear power producers, rose 8.2% in a single week, outperforming the S&P 500. Analysts estimate that if SMR deployment meets projected milestones, the nuclear sector could attract $30 billion in private investment over the next five years. These developments signal a potential pivot in U.S. energy policy toward modular, resilient infrastructure capable of supporting decarbonization goals without sacrificing reliability.