General
Will the United States have more than 5 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) under active construction (concrete poured) by the end of 2028?
A technology and energy prediction on the actualization of the nuclear renaissance.
60 total votes
Analysis
US Nuclear: 5+ SMRs Under Construction by 2028?
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are touted as the future of nuclear energy. This prediction asks if more than 5 units will be under active construction (defined as nuclear concrete poured) in the US by the end of 2028.
The First-of-a-Kind Hurdle
The 'No' vote leads slightly due to recent project cancellations (e.g., NuScale's UAMPS project) and rising costs. While companies like TerraPower and X-energy are moving forward with DOE support, getting five separate units to the 'concrete pouring' stage requires navigating lengthy NRC licensing and supply chain setups. While 1-2 pilot projects are likely, reaching 5+ concurrent builds by 2028 assumes a rapid acceleration that has yet to materialize.