SMR: The Nuclear Renaissance in Europe and the U.S.

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By Ion Jauregui – ActivTrades Analyst
Following the impact of the war in Ukraine and the volatility of Russian gas supplies, Europe has accelerated its transition toward clean energy sources. By 2024, 48% of the EU's electricity mix already comes from renewables, 24% from nuclear power, and only 28% from fossil fuels. Spain is even further ahead, with renewables accounting for 55.8% of its electricity system. This evolution has led to a 59% reduction in CO₂ emissions and a 16% annual drop in the average price of electricity. However, the green transition faces challenges such as renewable intermittency, technological dependency, and a shortage of skilled personnel. In response, both Europe and the U.S. are reinforcing their commitment to nuclear energy, particularly through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a safer, more flexible, and more efficient technology.
SMRs offer key advantages: compact design, lower costs, and the ability to be installed near industrial centers or remote communities. In Europe, France is leading the charge through EDF, which expects to have its first NUWARD prototype operational before 2030. In the UK, Rolls-Royce is developing 470 MWe reactors with both public and private support, aiming to build up to 10 units by 2035. Meanwhile, Tractebel (ENGIE) is working on SMR engineering projects across Central and Eastern Europe.
In the U.S., SMR technology has gained momentum with support from the Department of Energy. NuScale Power was the first company to receive design approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and although its Utah project was canceled, it maintains agreements with Canada, Romania, and Ukraine. Also notable is Oklo Inc., backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, which went public in 2024 with an innovative compact reactor. Other key players include Constellation Energy and Vistra Corp., which operate nuclear facilities, as well as private firms TerraPower (founded by Bill Gates) and X-energy—both federally funded. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has funneled billions in incentives toward clean energy in the U.S., supporting both renewable and nuclear technologies. The transatlantic approach is clear: combine solar, wind, storage, and SMRs to achieve a clean, resilient, and competitive energy supply.

NuScale Power Corp. Analysis
On the hourly chart, NuScale entered an accumulation phase starting on October 24, 2024, pushing its price up to a peak of $32.30 by March 25, 2025. However, it has since lost momentum, largely due to the uncertainty triggered by U.S. tariff policies.
Currently, the stock is trending toward a key support zone around $16.75, a level that previously acted as resistance multiple times. The firmest support lies at $11.02, marking a recent low. The Point of Control (POC), which indicates the price level with the highest traded volume, currently stands at around $18.36—just above immediate resistance. The most active trading range is between $17.24 and $25.60.
Technical indicators show an RSI at 48.18%, suggesting slight overselling, though not extreme. Moving average crossovers are unclear, reflecting market indecision. This lack of bullish strength may prolong the current sideways movement. In the long term, if market sentiment improves and regulatory tensions ease, the stock could recover toward the mid-range zone of around $21.00.

Publicly Traded Energy Companies: Renewables and SMRs
Nuclear Energy and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• EDF – 🇫🇷 Euronext Paris: EDF
• Tractebel (ENGIE) – 🇧🇪 Euronext Paris: ENGI
• Rolls-Royce SMR – 🇬🇧 LSE: RR
• NuScale Power – 🇺🇸 NYSE: SMR
• Oklo Inc. – 🇺🇸 NYSE: OKLO
• Constellation Energy – 🇺🇸 NASDAQ: CEG
• Vistra Corp. – 🇺🇸 NYSE: VST
• Cameco Corp (Uranium) – 🇨🇦 NYSE: CCJ
Private Companies to Watch
• TerraPower – 🇺🇸 (Bill Gates, Natrium Reactor)
• X-energy – 🇺🇸 (Xe-100 Reactor, DOE-funded)
Renewables and Energy Storage
• Iberdrola – 🇪🇸 BME: IBE
• Acciona Energía – 🇪🇸 BME: ANE
• Ørsted – 🇩🇰 CPH: ORSTED
• Enel – 🇮🇹 BIT: ENEL
• Siemens Energy – 🇩🇪 ETR: ENR
• Vestas Wind Systems – 🇩🇰 CPH: VWS
• First Solar – 🇺🇸 NASDAQ: FSLR
• NextEra Energy – 🇺🇸 NYSE: NEE
• Plug Power – 🇺🇸 NASDAQ: PLUG
• Bloom Energy – 🇺🇸 NYSE: BE

In this context, investment opportunities are expanding rapidly. Companies like EDF, Rolls-Royce, NuScale, Oklo, and Iberdrola are well positioned to lead the energy transition. The green revolution is no longer just about renewables—the new energy era is also nuclear.





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