NuScale Power vs. Nano Nuclear: Which Nuclear Stock Leads in 2025?
Explore how NuScale Power and Nano Nuclear Energy stack up in the evolving nuclear market, revealing key insights on their technology, financials, and growth potential for savvy investors eyeing nuclear stocks.
Key Takeaways
- NuScale Power leads with advanced SMR projects and a landmark 6-gigawatt TVA agreement.
- Nano Nuclear Energy focuses on microreactors with a 10-year INL pact accelerating development.
- NuScale’s shares surged 91.4% year-to-date, outpacing Nano Nuclear’s 26.3% gain.
- Both stocks carry high volatility but offer diversification benefits with low correlation.
- Nano Nuclear holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while NuScale is ranked #4 (Sell).
The nuclear energy landscape is buzzing with innovation, spotlighting two trailblazers: NuScale Power and Nano Nuclear Energy. Both are racing to redefine clean power with compact reactors—NuScale with its Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Nano Nuclear with nimble microreactors. As the global SMR market eyes a jump from $5.81 billion in 2024 to $8.37 billion by 2032, investors are asking: which nuclear stock holds the edge?
NuScale Power is charging ahead with major partnerships and a historic Tennessee Valley Authority deal to deploy 6 gigawatts of carbon-free energy. Meanwhile, Nano Nuclear is carving its niche through a decade-long collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory, pushing microreactor tech like KRONOS and LOKI.
This article unpacks their business models, financial health, and risk profiles, offering a clear-eyed view for investors navigating the nuclear stock arena in 2025.
Comparing Nuclear Technologies
NuScale Power and Nano Nuclear Energy are both pioneers in compact nuclear reactors, but their approaches differ like night and day. NuScale champions Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are essentially scaled-down nuclear plants designed for flexibility and large-scale utility use. Imagine a nuclear plant that fits in a shipping container but packs a punch enough for industrial giants and data centers.
Nano Nuclear, meanwhile, bets on microreactors—think of them as the nimble cousins of SMRs. These tiny powerhouses aim to deliver clean, portable energy to remote locations, defense sites, or places where grid access is patchy. Their microreactors, like KRONOS and LOKI, promise a new frontier in decentralized power.
This technological split isn’t just academic. NuScale’s SMRs are closer to commercial reality, backed by regulatory approvals and partnerships with utilities. Nano Nuclear is still in the lab, accelerating R&D with a 10-year pact at Idaho National Laboratory. Both paths hold promise, but the timelines and applications set them worlds apart.
Financial Performance Snapshot
Numbers tell a story, and in 2025, NuScale Power’s stock has been the star performer, soaring 91.4% year-to-date. This surge reflects investor confidence fueled by its expanding partnerships and the landmark Tennessee Valley Authority agreement to deploy 6 gigawatts of SMR technology—the largest in U.S. history.
Nano Nuclear’s shares have also climbed, but more modestly at 26.3%, reflecting its pre-revenue status and ongoing R&D focus. It’s a classic tale of a startup burning cash to build the future, with high operating expenses and regulatory hurdles delaying revenue.
Valuation-wise, NuScale trades at a hefty 19.58 times its book value, signaling high expectations baked into its price. Nano Nuclear’s 5.77 price/book multiple suggests a more conservative market view, perhaps pricing in the risks of early-stage development. Both stocks carry high volatility, typical for nuclear innovators, but NuScale’s higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted returns.
Navigating Risks and Rewards
Investing in nuclear stocks isn’t for the faint-hearted. Both NuScale and Nano Nuclear face steep regulatory mountains, capital-intensive development, and fierce competition from renewables. NuScale’s advanced SMR tech and commercial deals give it a leg up, but the energy market’s shifting winds and political scrutiny could trip it up.
Nano Nuclear’s microreactor path is more speculative. The promise of off-grid, scalable nuclear power is tantalizing, yet the company must clear regulatory hurdles and prove market demand. Its high cash burn and pre-revenue status add layers of risk, but also the potential for outsized rewards if it succeeds.
Interestingly, the two stocks have a low price correlation (~0.34), offering investors a chance to diversify within the nuclear sector. NuScale’s higher Sharpe Ratios (up to 3.38) suggest it’s delivering more bang for the risk buck compared to Nano Nuclear’s 1.38 at best.
Strategic Partnerships and Market Position
NuScale’s strength lies in its alliances. Collaborations with tech giants, financial institutions, and energy firms have propelled its SMR projects forward. The Tennessee Valley Authority deal alone signals trust and scale, aiming to power sectors hungry for carbon-free baseload electricity—think AI data centers and semiconductor fabs.
Nano Nuclear is no slouch either. Its 10-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Idaho National Laboratory is a heavyweight partnership accelerating microreactor innovation. Plus, licensing progress in the U.S. and Canada, alongside university collaborations, positions Nano Nuclear as a rising star in North America’s microreactor scene.
These partnerships aren’t just badges of honor; they’re critical lifelines in a capital-heavy, regulation-bound industry. They shape how quickly and effectively each company can move from concept to commercial reality.
Choosing Between NuScale and Nano Nuclear
So, which nuclear stock deserves your attention? NuScale Power currently holds the edge with its mature technology, stronger risk-adjusted returns, and visible commercial momentum. Its 91.4% stock gain and major utility deals make it a compelling pick for investors seeking nearer-term exposure to nuclear innovation.
Nano Nuclear Energy, with its microreactor focus and solid research partnerships, offers a high-risk, high-reward proposition. Its lower valuation and earlier stage mean it’s a longer game, betting on the future of decentralized nuclear power.
Investors must weigh their appetite for risk and timeline. NuScale offers relative stability and progress, while Nano Nuclear invites a leap of faith into emerging nuclear frontiers. Both stocks embody the promise and pitfalls of nuclear’s next chapter.
Long Story Short
NuScale Power currently shines with its mature SMR technology, robust partnerships, and impressive 91.4% year-to-date stock surge. Its closer-to-market projects and higher risk-adjusted returns make it the go-to for investors seeking nearer-term nuclear exposure. Yet, its lofty valuation and regulatory hurdles remind us that no victory is guaranteed. On the flip side, Nano Nuclear Energy’s microreactor focus and strong research alliances position it as a compelling long-term play. Though still in a pre-revenue phase with a more modest 26.3% stock gain, its strategic collaborations and lower valuation hint at untapped upside—if it navigates the complex regulatory maze ahead. For those weighing nuclear stocks, the choice boils down to appetite for risk and timing. NuScale offers momentum and relative stability, while Nano Nuclear invites investors to bet on the future of decentralized nuclear power. Either way, the nuclear sector’s evolution promises to keep the energy—and the market—charged.