NuScale Power: The Nuclear Stock Everyone's Watching

Core Insights - NuScale Power is the only U.S. nuclear company with a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) design certification for small modular reactors (SMRs) [1] - SMRs are considered essential for clean energy as they can provide carbon-free power from small, factory-built units, suitable for locations where traditional grids cannot supply continuous power [2] - Despite its first-mover advantage, NuScale's stock has declined nearly 20% this year due to a lack of operational projects and customers [3] Company Developments - NuScale has not yet sold any SMRs, although it has a potential first customer, RoPower, interested in using six reactors for a power plant in Romania [4] - The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ENTRA1 Energy to deploy up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of SMR power with the Tennessee Valley Authority, but no contracts have been finalized [5] - The absence of operational SMRs and a clear timeline for commercial use raises concerns about the company's profitability [6] Investment Considerations - Investors are advised to monitor the RoPower project closely, as it represents the closest opportunity for a sale; failure of this project could lead to a significant drop in stock value [6] - For risk-averse investors, a nuclear energy exchange-traded fund (ETF) may be a safer option compared to investing directly in NuScale [6] - Analysts have identified ten stocks they believe are better investment opportunities than NuScale Power [9]