NuScale Power’s stock declines sharply this year despite its NRC-approved small modular reactor design for AI data centers.
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) shares have fallen 38% in 2026, extending a volatile stretch for the nuclear energy sector. The company’s stock surged 500% over the past three years before retreating amid broader market shifts and sector-specific challenges.
The decline contrasts with rising demand for electricity to power AI data centers, where small modular reactors (SMRs) are seen as a viable solution. NuScale holds the only NRC-approved SMR design and has partnered with ENTRA1 Energy to develop power plants, securing a 6-gigawatt commitment from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Despite these advantages, the stock’s performance reflects investor caution over execution risks and regulatory hurdles in scaling nuclear power for commercial use.