Rising Demand for Clean Power Drives Interest in Nuclear Energy Stocks

Industry Overview - Nuclear energy is increasingly recognized as a vital solution for meeting the world's growing electricity demands and supporting the transition to cleaner power sources, providing a constant and reliable supply of clean energy [1][2] - The demand for clean electricity is driven by industrial expansion, urbanization, rising global temperatures, the development of AI-powered data centers, and the adoption of electric vehicles [4] Investment Potential - Nuclear energy-related stocks, such as Duke Energy Corporation, Dominion Energy, and Constellation Energy Corporation, are becoming attractive investment options due to their ability to deliver steady output compared to other clean energy sources [2][6] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that annual investment in nuclear energy will exceed $150 billion by 2030, up from$65 billion, with installed nuclear capacity potentially exceeding 1,000 gigawatts by 2050 [3] Company Insights Duke Energy - Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear units capable of producing nearly 10,700 megawatts of clean electricity, with nuclear power accounting for 27.5% of its total electricity output in 2024 [8] - The company plans to expand its nuclear capacity by nearly 250 megawatts by 2031 and has secured agreements to monetize over $500 million in nuclear production tax credits [9] - Duke Energy received approval to operate its Oconee Nuclear Station for another 20 years and is pursuing license renewals for all its reactors [10][11] Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy owns four nuclear power stations, generating nearly 40% of its total production, and is evaluating next-generation nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) [12][13] - The company aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with nuclear power serving as a consistent, carbon-free solution [14] Constellation Energy - Constellation Energy is the largest nuclear power plant operator in the U.S., accounting for around 10% of the nation's total clean energy production [15] - The company has secured multiple uranium supply contracts extending through the 2030s to ensure long-term nuclear fuel security and is modernizing its nuclear plants to improve performance [16] - Constellation Energy is investing to expand its nuclear capacity and is evaluating the addition of up to one gigawatt of new carbon-free energy capacity over the next 10 years [17]