NuScale Power's SMR Milestone: A Grid-Ready Solution for the AI Economy's Energy Crisis

The energy landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the insatiable power demands of AI, data centers, and the global push to decarbonize. In this environment, NuScale Power Corporation has emerged as a pivotal player, leveraging its first-of-its-kind U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) certification for small modular reactor (SMR) technology to seize a leadership position in the $2 trillion clean energy infrastructure market.

The NRC Certification: A Moat Against Competitors
NuScale's 2020 NRC design certification for its 50 MWe SMR was a landmark achievement, but its 2023 submission of an uprated VOYGR™-6 design—now undergoing a 24-month NRC review—has positioned it even further ahead. The new 77 MWe SMR modules, scalable to multi-gigawatt plants, offer a critical advantage: they can be deployed in configurations tailored to the voracious energy needs of data centers, industrial complexes, and cities.

The certification process itself acts as a barrier to entry. Traditional nuclear projects like the beleaguered Vogtle plant in Georgia have faced years of delays and cost overruns, but SMRs' standardized, factory-built design reduces construction complexity. This gives NuScale a clear edge over competitors, many of which are still years away from regulatory approval.

The Ohio/Pennsylvania Projects: A Blueprint for SMR Dominance
NuScale's partnership with ENTRA1 Energy and Standard Power is a masterstroke. The two 2GW facilities—using 24 SMR modules—will supply nearly 1,850 MWe of 24/7 baseload power by 2029, directly fueling data centers operated by Standard Power. This isn't just about energy supply; it's about solving two existential problems:

1. AI's Energy Appetite: Data centers now consume ~2% of global electricity, a figure projected to nearly double by 2030 as AI adoption surges. SMRs provide the reliability and density that renewables alone can't match.
2. Decarbonization Mandates: Corporations face escalating pressure to achieve net-zero targets. NuScale's SMRs offer a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuel plants, with a footprint small enough to sit near demand hubs.

The economic upside is staggering. Construction alone will create thousands of union jobs, with local community programs ensuring long-term regional development.

Why SMRs Are a Better Nuclear Bet
Critics of nuclear energy cite cost and safety, but SMRs address both:
- Safety First: NuScale's passive cooling system eliminates the risk of meltdowns, a feature validated by the NRC.
- Cost Efficiency: SMRs are built in factories, reducing construction timelines and variability. The 2GW Ohio/Pennsylvania projects aim for a ~$3/watt price tag, far below the $6-10/watt costs of traditional plants.
- Modular Scalability: Need 200 MW? 1,000 MW? Add modules incrementally, avoiding stranded costs.

Meanwhile, global demand is exploding. The U.S. has allocated $6 billion in nuclear incentives via the Inflation Reduction Act, while countries like the UK, Poland, and Saudi Arabia are exploring SMR projects. NuScale's certification gives it a head start in this global race.

Risks? Yes. But the Upside Is Existential
No investment is risk-free. Delays in the NRC's review of the 77 MWe design could stall timelines, while cost overruns in early projects could spook investors. However, the upside in a carbon-constrained world is undeniable:

• Data Center Demand:
• Regulatory Momentum: The NRC's existing SMR certification framework reduces uncertainty for future projects.
• Diversification: SMRs can also power district heating, desalination, and green hydrogen production—creating new revenue streams.

A Must-Watch for Clean Energy Investors
The writing is on the wall: the era of “always-on” energy for the digital economy demands reliable, scalable, and zero-emission solutions. NuScale's SMR technology isn't just a niche play—it's the grid architecture of the future.

For investors, the question is: Can you afford to ignore a company that's already leapfrogged the regulatory hurdles and is building projects that will power the next wave of tech innovation? With decarbonization mandates tightening and AI's energy needs soaring, NuScale isn't just a bet on nuclear—it's a bet on the infrastructure that will define the 21st-century economy.

The time to act is now.