Core Insights - Global electricity needs are increasing, leading to heightened interest in nuclear energy among investors and industries [1] - The U.S. is the largest producer of nuclear power, contributing approximately 30% to global nuclear electricity generation [2] - Nuclear reactors generated a record 2667 TWh of electricity in 2024, surpassing previous records [4] Industry Trends - Over 70 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity are currently under construction globally, marking one of the highest levels in the last 30 years [5] - Big technology companies are investing in nuclear energy to support their data centers and AI growth, with demand expected to rise across various industries [6] - Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are gaining interest for their faster construction times and potential cost reductions, with projections of reaching 80 GW by 2040 [9] Financial Aspects - Financing nuclear projects remains a challenge due to high costs and market volatility, necessitating stable cash flow mechanisms [7][8] - Green bond issuances for nuclear energy have raised over $5 billion, primarily for project refinancing and lifetime extensions [8] Government Initiatives - Recent executive orders in the U.S. aim to accelerate nuclear reactor development and quadruple nuclear generating capacity by 2025 [10] Investment Opportunities - Nuclear-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen significant gains over the past year, with notable increases such as 88% for the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF [12]