NuScale Power Develops SMRs to Power AI Data Centers

NuScale Power is developing small modular reactors (SMRs) to address surging electricity demands from AI data centers. While the company holds the only Standard Design Approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the United States for its 50 MW and 77 MW designs, its technology is not expected to be operational until the early 2030s.

The company has one committed project in Doicești, Romania, slated for operation by 2033, and is planning up to 6 GW of capacity with the Tennessee Valley Authority. To facilitate growth, NuScale partnered with ENTRA1 for financing and signed a memorandum of understanding with Curio and Framatome to evaluate a closed-loop nuclear fuel cycle.

These developments come as AI data centers create critical local capacity bottlenecks and grid stability issues. Although the national power supply in the United States remains sufficient, concentrated loads have caused disruptions, such as a July 2024 voltage disturbance in Northern Virginia that disconnected 60 data centers.