Financial Times | Small nuclear reactors are worth the wait

The FT argues that the AI-driven surge in data center power demand is accelerating interest in small modular reactors, with large tech companies increasingly signing direct deals with SMR developers to secure reliable, zero-emission, on-site power. Meta is highlighted as a major mover, prepaying for output from up to eight TerraPower Natrium reactors and up to 16 Oklo Aurora reactors, making it one of the largest prospective corporate buyers of nuclear energy. However, the article emphasizes that despite the momentum, SMRs will not materially solve near-term power needs: announced data center–SMR deals are estimated to deliver less than 4GW by 2030 versus potential U.S. data center demand of ~20GW. Long build times remain a constraint, with historical SMR projects often taking close to a decade, though proponents argue SMRs offer advantages in financing, grid integration, and long-term scalability. The author concludes that nuclear’s real value is scale rather than speed, positioning SMRs as a post-2030 solution, while near-term clean energy goals will rely more on extending, uprating, and restarting existing nuclear plants.