Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are once again making headlines, with new forecasts suggesting the technology could play a much larger role in the global energy mix over the coming years. According to recent analysis from GlobalData, worldwide SMR capacity is expected to increase sixfold by 2030, with even more significant growth anticipated throughout the following decade.
While large-scale nuclear projects continue to dominate the sector today, SMRs are increasingly being viewed as a practical solution for meeting future electricity demand while supporting decarbonisation goals.
Why Interest in SMRs Is Growing
SMRs are smaller than traditional nuclear reactors and are designed to be manufactured in modules before being assembled on-site. This approach aims to reduce construction times, improve cost control and allow reactors to be deployed in a wider range of locations.
The technology is attracting growing interest from governments and energy investors looking for reliable, low-carbon electricity generation. Unlike renewable technologies such as wind and solar, nuclear power can provide continuous baseload generation regardless of weather conditions/
Rising electricity demand is also driving investment. The expansion of data centres, artificial intelligence technologies and electrification across industry and transport is expected to place significant pressure on networks in the coming years. As a result, many countries are exploring how nuclear energy can complement renewable generation while helping to maintain grid stability.
Where SMRs Stand Today
While forecasts point to significant growth, the global SMR industry is still in its early stages. Only a small number of SMRs are currently operational worldwide, including Russia’s floating Akademik Lomonosov plant and China’s Linglong One project. Most proposed reactors remain in the planning, licensing or construction phases.
The UK currently has no operational SMRs, although the technology has become a key part of the government’s long-term energy strategy. Recent support for Rolls-Royce SMR through Great British Energy – Nuclear demonstrates the UK’s commitment to developing domestic SMR capability. As more projects move through the approval process, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether the technology can deliver on its commercial potential.
A Growing Part of Future Energy Strategies
Several countries have already announced plans to support SMR development through funding programmes, regulatory reforms and partnerships with technology developers. The UK is among those looking closely at the potential of SMRs as part of its long-term energy strategy.
Supporters argue that the technology could help strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on imported fuels and provide low-carbon electricity for decades to come.
However, while forecasts for future growth are ambitious, the industry still faces challenges. Many SMR designs remain in the development or approval stage, and large-scale commercial deployment has yet to be demonstrated in most markets. Financing, regulatory approval and supply chain capacity will all play an important role in determining how quickly projects can move forward.
Construction Challenges Remain
While attention is increasingly focused on next-generation nuclear technologies, ongoing construction projects continue to highlight some of the practical challenges facing the wider nuclear sector.
Recent reports from the Hinkley Point C construction site in Somerset have drawn attention to workforce concerns after workers staged a protest relating to site safety and working conditions. The dispute centred on concerns over access routes and shift arrangements, with workers temporarily removed from the site following the action.
Although the situation relates to a large conventional nuclear project rather than SMRs, it serves as a reminder that delivering nuclear infrastructure requires more than technological innovation alone. Large projects depend on effective workforce management, robust safety procedures and strong collaboration between contractors, developers and employees.
Meeting Rising Demand From AI and Data Centres
One of the biggest factors driving interest in SMRs is the growing demand for electricity from emerging technologies. The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and large-scale data centres is expected to place increasing pressure on electricity networks around the world.
Unlike some forms of renewable generation, nuclear power can provide a continuous supply of electricity around the clock. As governments and businesses look for ways to meet rising demand while reducing carbon emissions, SMRs are increasingly being viewed as a potential solution that can work alongside renewable energy sources to support future energy needs.
The renewed focus on SMRs reflects a growing recognition that achieving net zero will require a diverse energy mix. While renewable generation will continue to play a central role, many policymakers are looking at nuclear power as a complementary technology capable of providing reliable low-carbon electricity when renewable output is lower.
If current forecasts are realised, SMRs could become an increasingly important part of national energy systems during the 2030s and beyond. However, the pace of deployment will depend on the industry’s ability to overcome regulatory, financial and operational challenges while demonstrating that projects can be delivered safely and efficiently.
