Abstract

Small modular reactors (SMRs) may play an increasing role in the next decade, catalyzed by accelerated energy demand, particularly firm power with flexibility, and the continuing transition to decarbonize the energy system. While wind and solar are a growing proportion of the energy portfolio, there are fundamental constraints to these intermittent energy sources. Batteries can provide short term energy storage but are expensive and degrade over time. Conversely, SMRs enable 24/7 clean firm power, with minimal maintenance throughout the year. SMRs are scalable, comprised of modules that can be stacked together to match demand. Advanced reactor (AR) technology may have added use cases, such as producing industrial-level heat, flexibility to ramp up and down quickly, and even store energy like a large battery.

This report provides forecasts for SMR capacity additions and revenue from 2025 to 2034, and explains the technology’s primary drivers and barriers. Forecasts are segmented by global regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa), as well as technology type, size, location, and reactor iteration. Capacity is in megawatts of electricity, and revenue is in 2025 U.S. dollars. Revenue refers to the upfront costs associated with the reactor’s siting, equipment and components procurement, and construction, as well as operation, maintenance, and fuel costs. The forecast has a high variance in any given year because of the large variance in reactor size and the limited number of SMRs in the inventory. The capacity number is the average of what happens in each year across 10,000 iterations, so numbers may not total to specific reactor capacities in the pipeline.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

• Roughly how much SMR capacity is expected to come online each year in the next decade, and how much revenue is generated from those additions?
• What are the fundamental barriers that SMRs must overcome to become a commercially viable clean firm technology option?
• What benefits do SMRs offer and why is the technology currently seeing momentum?
• What types of companies will play a role in the SMR value chain?
• What regions are likely to see the most success in commissioning SMRs in the next decade?
• What are the policy environments driving changes in the SMR market?

Who Would Benefit from This Report?

• Policymakers
• Investors
• SMR developers and vendors
• Utilities
• Nuclear fuel enrichment, fabrication, and conversion companies

Key Market Forecasts in This Report

• SMR Annual Capacity Additions and Revenue, by Region, World Markets: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions, 90% Confidence Interval, World Markets: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions, by Project Size, World Markets: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions, by Technology, World Markets: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions, by Planned Site, World Markets: 2025-2034
• SMR Cumulative Capacity, by Region, World Markets: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions and Revenue, North America: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions and Revenue, Asia Pacific: 2025-2034
• SMR Annual Capacity Additions and Revenue, Europe: 2025-2034