NuScale Power: Pioneering Small Modular Reactor Technology
NuScale Power is a trailblazer in the nuclear industry, leading the global push for small modular reactor (SMR) technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, NuScale is best known for its innovative NuScale Power Module™, a compact, factory-built pressurized water reactor designed to deliver safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy.
Technological Leadership
NuScale’s SMR is the first and only design to receive full certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a milestone that sets it apart from competitors and attests to its rigorous safety standards.
Each NuScale Power Module™ generates 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal, and up to 12 modules can be combined for a total capacity of 924 MWe-making the technology highly flexible for various customer needs.
The modules are fully factory-fabricated and shipped to site, reducing construction risks and costs. This approach allows for deployment within 36 months from the first pour of safety concrete, a significant improvement over traditional nuclear plant timelines.
Versatile Applications
NuScale’s SMR technology is designed for a wide range of uses, including grid-scale electricity, data centers, district heating, desalination, hydrogen production, and process heat for industry.
The company’s partnership with ENTRA1 Energy is advancing commercial projects globally, with major developments planned for data centers and industrial users in Ohio and Pennsylvania-projects expected to deliver nearly 1,850 MWe of clean energy and significant local economic benefits.
Safety and Regulatory Innovation
NuScale’s design features an innovative Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) strategy, typically limiting the EPZ to the plant boundary, which enhances safety and minimizes community disruption in the unlikely event of an incident.
The reactor can operate independently without emergency backup power, ensuring resilience and reliability even during grid outages.
Market Position and Financials
NuScale is the first SMR technology provider to become a publicly traded company (NYSE: SMR) and continues to attract investment and strategic partnerships.
The company reported a strengthened cash position in 2024 and is advancing manufacturing readiness with supply chain partners like Doosan Enerbility, already producing long-lead materials for upcoming projects.
While NuScale has faced challenges, such as the cancellation of its initial UAMPS project due to cost escalations, it remains at the forefront of SMR commercialization, with ongoing regulatory approvals and a robust global project pipeline.
Sustainability and Future Outlook
NuScale’s mission is to deliver 24/7, emissions-free baseload power to support the global energy transition, decarbonization, and the growing demands of digital infrastructure and industry.
The company’s design is well-suited to replace retiring coal plants and complement renewables, offering a reliable solution for clean energy growth.
NuScale Power stands out as the global leader in small modular reactor technology, combining regulatory firsts, flexible deployment, and a strong focus on safety and sustainability. Its factory-built, scalable reactors position NuScale as a key player in the next era of nuclear energy, ready to meet the evolving needs of utilities, industry, and the clean energy transition.