Nuclear Energy Sector Faces $10 Trillion Opportunity
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 09 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Massive Market Potential: Analysts at Bank of America believe the nuclear energy sector is poised for a global market opportunity worth up to $10 trillion, with small modular reactors (SMRs) likely to be major beneficiaries, potentially increasing investors' portfolio values by 1,000%.
- Electricity Demand Resurgence: From 2024 to 2030, U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow by 4% annually, with the AI sector's demand rising from 4.3% to 11.7%, creating urgent needs for low-carbon energy solutions, with nuclear power as a key player.
- NuScale Power's Advantages: NuScale Power is developing small modular reactors, which not only lower initial construction costs but also shorten deployment times, positioning the company to quickly meet the market's demand for clean energy.
- Long-Term Investment Perspective: While Bank of America sees the nuclear renaissance unfolding over 30 to 35 years, NuScale Power's market cap of just $3.5 billion indicates significant growth potential in the future market, despite execution uncertainties along the way.
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Analyst Views on SMR
Wall Street analysts forecast SMR stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 10.150
Low
18.50
Averages
32.77
High
60.00
Current: 10.150
Low
18.50
Averages
32.77
High
60.00
About SMR
NuScale Power Corporation is a provider of proprietary advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology. The NuScale Power Module, the Company's SMR technology, is a small pressurized water reactor that can generate approximately 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross) and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations of up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output. In addition to the sale of NPMs, it offers a diversified suite of services throughout the development and operating life of the power plant. The Company's suite of services is planned to include licensing support, testing, training, fuel supply services and program management, among others. It serves a range of customers consisting of domestic and international governments, utilities, state-owned enterprises and technology and industrial companies in need of carbon-free, reliable energy.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Significant Valuation Drop: NuScale Power's market cap has plummeted from nearly $20 billion last year to $3.4 billion currently, indicating a decline in market confidence regarding its future growth, although there remains over 400% upside potential if the stock returns to its historical highs.
- SMR Prospects: NuScale's initial designs have been approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and while only two SMRs are currently operational globally, the rising energy demand suggests that SMRs could be built faster and cheaper than traditional nuclear plants, with $7 trillion expected to be spent on data center infrastructure expansion in the coming years.
- Major Project Progress: NuScale's largest project is expected to secure a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a major northeastern U.S. utility operator by the end of 2026, which would provide a long-term revenue stream and significantly reduce market uncertainty regarding its growth prospects.
- Massive Market Opportunity: Bank of America estimates the global nuclear revolution could be valued at $10 trillion, and despite execution and financing risks, NuScale is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market, potentially enhancing its current $3.5 billion market cap.
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- Renewed Market Interest: Global interest in nuclear energy is resurging, with NuScale Power's valuation plummeting from nearly $20 billion to below $4 billion, indicating a reassessment of its future potential; if the stock returns to previous highs, there is over 400% upside potential.
- Advantages of SMRs: NuScale's designs, already approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, showcase faster and cheaper construction benefits for small modular reactors (SMRs), which are crucial in meeting rising energy demands, particularly driven by the expansion of AI data centers.
- Significant Project Progress: By the end of 2026, NuScale is expected to sign a power purchasing agreement for a 6GW SMR system with a major northeastern U.S. utility, which will significantly reduce market uncertainty regarding its growth prospects and could drive stock price increases.
- Long-Term Market Potential: Bank of America estimates the global nuclear revolution could be valued at $10 trillion, and despite execution and financing risks, NuScale is positioned to capture a meaningful share of this market, potentially enhancing its current $3.5 billion market cap.
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- Significant Valuation Drop: NuScale Power's valuation has plummeted from nearly $20 billion last year to below $4 billion, reflecting market concerns about its growth prospects; however, if the stock returns to its previous highs, there is over 400% upside potential.
- SMR Prospects: NuScale's designs for small modular reactors (SMRs) have been approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and although only two SMRs are currently operational globally, they are seen as a faster and cheaper solution to rising energy demands, with $7 trillion expected to be spent on data center infrastructure expansion in the coming years.
- Major Project Progress: The company's largest project is expected to sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) by the end of 2026, which would secure future revenue and significantly reduce market uncertainty regarding its growth trajectory, potentially driving stock price increases.
- Huge Market Opportunity: Bank of America estimates the global nuclear revolution could be valued at $10 trillion, and despite execution and financing risks, NuScale is positioned to capture a meaningful share of this market, significantly boosting its current $3.5 billion market cap.
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- Significant Stock Decline: NuScale Power's stock has plummeted over 80% from its record high of $53.43 on October 15, 2025, currently trading below $10, raising concerns among investors regarding its future prospects amidst this volatility.
- Future Revenue Expectations: Despite setbacks, analysts project NuScale's revenue to rise from $31 million in 2025 to $311 million by 2028, indicating substantial growth potential once its commercial reactors come online in the 2030s, although it is expected to remain unprofitable in the interim.
- Technological Advantage: NuScale's development of small modular reactors (SMRs), which are significantly smaller than conventional nuclear reactors, allows for reduced construction time, labor, and costs, positioning the company favorably in the global nuclear energy market.
- Strategic Partnerships: NuScale is collaborating with Fluor to deploy six 77 MWe reactors in Romania's RoPower project and has agreed to deploy up to six gigawatts of SMR capacity across seven states for the Tennessee Valley Authority, although actual deployment is not expected until the early 2030s.
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- Stock Price Decline: NuScale Power's stock reached a record high of $53.43 on October 15, 2025, but currently trades below $10, reflecting market concerns about its future despite the potential of its small modular reactor (SMR) technology to reduce construction costs and time.
- Project Collaboration Progress: NuScale is partnering with Fluor to deploy six 77 MWe reactors at Romania's RoPower, totaling 462 MWe, while also agreeing with the Tennessee Valley Authority to deploy up to six gigawatts of SMR capacity across seven states in the U.S., demonstrating its commitment to market expansion.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Although NuScale does not expect to deploy any reactors until the early 2030s, analysts forecast its revenue will rise from $31 million in 2025 to $311 million in 2028, indicating significant future growth potential despite remaining unprofitable during this period.
- Investment Timing Analysis: While NuScale's stock remains speculative, the current low price may present a good buying opportunity for long-term investors, especially considering the anticipated substantial revenue and profit growth in the 2030s once its commercial reactors come online.
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- Market Pressure: NuScale Power's stock has plummeted approximately 75% over the past year, currently trading at about $10 per share, significantly below its 52-week high of $57, indicating investor disappointment and potentially impacting future financing capabilities.
- Technological Edge and Demand: As the only U.S. company with an NRC-certified small modular reactor (SMR) design, NuScale holds a first-mover advantage; however, the lack of a first firm sale has resulted in weak market demand, limiting revenue growth potential.
- Government Support and Strategic Partnerships: U.S. government support for nuclear energy is strengthening, with the Trump administration aiming to quadruple nuclear capacity by 2050, and NuScale's partnership with ENTRA1 seeks to connect with tech clients, capitalizing on AI data centers' demand for baseload power, which is strategically significant.
- Investor Confidence Issues: Despite the promising outlook for NuScale in the nuclear sector, the absence of practical commercial applications has led to diminished investor confidence in its future economic viability, resulting in heightened stock volatility with a beta of 2.22, indicating higher risk.
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