NuScale Power's E2 Centers: Fueling the SMR Revolution Through Workforce Innovation

The small modular reactor (SMR) market is poised to explode, with global capacity expected to reach 14 GW by 2035—a 20-fold increase from 2023. Yet, a critical bottleneck remains: the shortage of skilled nuclear workers. Enter NuScale Power, whose innovative Energy Exploration (E2) Centers are not just training the next generation of nuclear professionals but are also unlocking the full potential of SMRs. By strategically partnering with institutions like George Mason University and South Carolina State University, NuScale is building a scalable, globally distributed workforce pipeline that directly addresses investor concerns about deployment risks and positions the company for long-term dominance.

The Workforce Pipeline: A Strategic Hedge Against Risk

The nuclear industry's talent gap is stark: 50% of U.S. nuclear workers are over 50, and fewer than 10 universities offer dedicated nuclear engineering programs. NuScale's E2 Centers are reversing this trend by embedding immersive training into academic curricula. Take George Mason University, where the $8 million Virginia-funded E2 Center—set to officially launch this fall—boasts the first full-scale 12-module SMR simulator in the U.S.. Students gain hands-on experience operating virtual reactors, troubleshooting emergencies, and mastering digital control systems—all skills directly transferable to NuScale's SMR designs.

Meanwhile, South Carolina State University, the only HBCU offering a four-year nuclear engineering degree, has leveraged its E2 Center to train diverse talent for roles in plant operations, safety, and research. This partnership isn't just about education; it's about democratizing access to high-paying STEM careers while ensuring NuScale's technology has a global workforce to scale with.

Scalability Meets Regulatory Certainty: A Recipe for Market Leadership

NuScale's 11 E2 Centers worldwide—spanning institutions like Seoul National University and Romania's University of Pitesti—form a global network primed to train thousands of workers annually. This decentralized model allows NuScale to rapidly expand its footprint in markets like Africa and Asia, where SMRs are seen as critical to decarbonization.

Crucially, NuScale's SMR design holds a first-mover advantage: it's the only SMR certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This certification reduces regulatory and financial risks for investors, as it streamlines permitting for projects like the Hinrichs Family SMR Plant in Idaho. Pair this with the $1.7 trillion in U.S. federal clean energy funding under the Inflation Reduction Act, and NuScale's alignment with policy tailwinds becomes undeniable.

Decarbonization Demands SMRs—and NuScale Is the Playbook

Governments and corporations are under pressure to slash emissions, and SMRs offer a flexible, scalable solution—producing 60–924 MW of carbon-free power without the gigaproject risks of traditional reactors. NuScale's partnerships with universities like George Mason also amplify its public engagement strategy, with K-12 tours and community workshops fostering public buy-in—a critical factor in overcoming NIMBYism.

Investors should note that NuScale isn't just a technology play; it's a total solutions provider. Its E2 Centers ensure a trained workforce for construction, operations, and maintenance, while its NRC certification and global partnerships reduce execution risks. With $3 billion in U.S. Department of Energy funding already allocated to SMR projects, the market's growth is all but guaranteed.

Why Buy Now?

• Workforce Risk Mitigation: E2 Centers eliminate the “labor shortage” threat, ensuring projects stay on schedule.
• Scalable Model: 11 global centers → global talent pipeline → faster SMR deployments.
• Regulatory Backing: NRC certification lowers permitting hurdles and financial risks.
• Policy Tailwinds: Inflation Reduction Act funding + global net-zero commitments = demand surge.

NuScale's E2 Centers are more than training facilities—they're strategic assets that lock in long-term operational and financial resilience. For investors focused on clean energy infrastructure, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to back a company at the intersection of workforce innovation, regulatory strength, and global decarbonization.

The SMR revolution is here. NuScale is leading it.