Nuclear Power Renaissance
Small Module Nuclear Renaissance by 2028? How the recent white house executive orders could impact this space
The four nuclear power revitalization focused executive orders signed by white house on May 23-24, 2025, bring about a renewed interest in the small module reactor space (SMRs). If things go according to their plan these orders, coupled with industry advancements, could result in a potentially rapid nuclear renaissance driven by small modular reactors (SMRs). Here’s why this matters for civilian energy and what’s on the horizon:
SMRs in Civilian Applications by 2028:
The orders mandate an 18-month licensing process for new reactors and streamlined approvals for standardized SMR designs. SMRs are build modularly and offsite expediting build time to ~3 years. SMRs like NuScale’s 77 Mwe’s design is already NRC-certified and a larger GE Vernova’s BWRX-300 is advancing in Canada. We could see civilian SMR deployments powering communities as early as 2028. Interestingly, the DOE’s pilot program targets three operational reactors by July 2026, further accelerating this timeline.
Low power costs and energy decentralization:
SMRs bring power generation efficiency down to near large reactor levels. Civilian enterprises have customarily depended on oligarchic utility companies for their energy needs. Alternatives have been solar which has also necessitated battery technology – which is expensive, and difficult to scale. Theoretically, less regulation and available SMR tech would empower commercial enterprises to generate power on site, enabling new industries.
Economic and Strategic Impact:
The orders bolster domestic uranium supply chains, with a 120-day plan to expand HALEU production, reducing reliance on foreign sources like Russia. This supports civilian projects while creating jobs through workforce programs prioritized by September 20, 2025. SMRs’ factory-built designs promise cost reductions—potentially to $4,500/kW in the U.S. by 2040—making them competitive with fossil fuels.
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Challenges remain, including public perception and supply chain scaling. Yet, with global nuclear capacity projected to grow 3% annually through 2026 and SMRs leading the charge, the U.S. is poised to reclaim energy leadership. I’m excited to guide this transition, ensuring communities and industries thrive in a clean energy future.
#NuclearEnergy #SMRs #EnergyInnovation