NuScale Power: Potential and Risks of Small Modular Reactors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SMR?
Source: Fool
- Massive Market Opportunity: With a market capitalization of just $4 billion, NuScale Power operates in a nuclear energy sector projected to become a $10 trillion opportunity, highlighting significant potential for investment returns.
- Innovation Driven: In 2023, NuScale Power received the first-ever approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its SMR design, marking a pivotal moment that could provide more efficient power solutions for the AI sector.
- Intensifying Competition: While NuScale Power leads in SMR design approvals, other large industrial firms are heavily investing in competing designs, indicating that market competition will intensify, necessitating careful risk assessment by investors.
- Risks and Rewards: Although NuScale Power presents opportunities for aggressive growth investors, the technology remains unproven at scale, suggesting that the potential for high returns comes with equally high risks, requiring investors to be well-prepared.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy SMR?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on SMR
Wall Street analysts forecast SMR stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 12.790
Low
18.50
Averages
32.77
High
60.00
Current: 12.790
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.
- Massive Market Opportunity: NuScale Power is developing small modular reactors (SMRs) with a potential market value of $10 trillion, which could position it as one of the most significant energy companies of the century if successful.
- Slow Sales Progress: Despite having an SMR design approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale has yet to finalize any SMR projects for customers and is unlikely to generate meaningful revenue for the next two years, posing a challenge to its business model.
- Diverse Customer Base: NuScale's SMR technology not only targets utilities but also offers on-site power generation solutions for data centers, industrial clients, and governments, thereby broadening its potential customer base.
- Significant Investment Risks: Although NuScale's technology holds great promise, the lack of actual sales and profitability has led to a stock decline of over 75% since October 2025, necessitating cautious risk assessment by investors.
See More
- Massive Market Opportunity: NuScale Power aims to revolutionize the nuclear energy sector by mass-producing small modular reactors (SMRs), potentially tapping into a $10 trillion market, despite its stock plummeting over 75% since 2025.
- Grid Solution Innovation: Unlike traditional methods, NuScale plans to build SMR plants near data centers and industrial hubs for on-site power generation, enhancing energy independence and flexibility for its customers.
- Diverse Customer Base: While NuScale's SMR technology could attract various clients, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, it currently lacks any firm sales agreements and is not expected to generate significant revenue for the next two years.
- Technical Risks and Market Challenges: As the only U.S. company with an SMR design approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale faces the risk of unproven technology and uncertainty regarding market acceptance of its first project, which could impact future profitability.
See More
- Market Performance: The NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator rose by 99.53 points to 26,689.87, indicating positive market sentiment that may attract more investor interest.
- Active Stocks: Local Bounti Corporation (LOCL) increased by $1.0305 in pre-market trading, with a volume of 35,128,203 shares, indicating a significant uptick in the company's market activity.
- ETF Performance: Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X ETF (TSLL) rose by $0.2 to $13.49, representing a 107.86% increase from its 52-week low, showcasing strong investor confidence in Tesla.
- Earnings Forecast: Intel Corporation (INTC) is scheduled to report earnings on April 23, 2026, with a consensus EPS forecast of -$0.11, reflecting a 2% increase over the previous year, indicating cautious optimism about its future performance.
See More
- Market Recovery Signal: Both Oklo and NuScale have seen their stock prices surge over 30% in recent months, despite earlier declines of over 40% this year, indicating a growing market confidence in the nuclear sector's recovery.
- AI Demand Boost: With an expected $7 trillion investment in data center construction globally, nuclear companies like Oklo and NuScale may become key energy suppliers for the emerging AI industry, addressing the urgent need for renewable energy and enhancing their market value.
- Technological Advantage: The application of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology allows these companies to build nuclear plants at lower costs and faster speeds, likely attracting more data center operators seeking reliable energy solutions, thereby driving business growth.
- Long-Term Investment Outlook: Although Bank of America forecasts significant ramp-up in SMR capacity won't occur until 2035, Oklo and NuScale's combined market cap remains under $20 billion, suggesting a potential tenfold growth opportunity for investors willing to hold long-term.
See More
- Stock Price Fluctuation: NuScale Power's shares have declined by 22% since the beginning of 2026, despite a 40% rebound over the past two weeks, indicating market caution regarding the long-term potential of its small modular reactor technology.
- Upcoming Earnings Report: The quarterly earnings report expected on May 7 is anticipated to reveal important updates on the project pipeline and potential customer signings, which are crucial for investors to gauge the company's future trajectory.
- Industry Conference Presentation: On June 2, NuScale Power will present at a conference hosted by the Royal Bank of Canada, allowing management to showcase the overall business strategy rather than just specific financial figures, which could enhance investor confidence.
- Long-Term Growth Drivers: Management needs to focus on the rising electricity demand and the challenges posed by the current grid's limitations, especially in negotiations with five tier-one hyperscalers, as successfully converting these potential sales streams will be critical.
See More
- Stock Volatility: NuScale Power's shares have declined by 22% since the beginning of 2026, despite a 40% rebound in the past two weeks, indicating market caution regarding the long-term potential of its small modular reactor technology.
- Upcoming Earnings Report: The latest quarterly earnings report, expected on May 7, is anticipated to reveal updates on the project pipeline and the conversion of potential customers into signed partnerships, which is crucial for improving market sentiment.
- Industry Conference Presentation: On June 2, NuScale Power will present at a conference hosted by the Royal Bank of Canada, allowing management to emphasize long-term growth drivers, particularly the rising demand for electricity, without delving into specific reported numbers.
- Strategic Partnership Progress: The CEO disclosed that the company has signed five exploratory NDAs with
See More











