Global Surge in Small Modular Reactor Development Highlighted in New NEA Report

September 20, 2025

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has released its third edition of the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard, revealing a significant global expansion in SMR development and deployment. The report underscores the growing strategic importance of SMRs driven by increasing electricity demand, energy security concerns, and national climate goals.

Key Takeaways

Expanding Global Footprint: SMRs are becoming a central component of energy strategies in numerous countries worldwide.
Regulatory Progress: 51 SMR designs are currently undergoing pre-licensing or licensing processes across 15 countries.
Increased Funding: An 81% rise in SMR designs securing funding or announcing commitments has been observed since the previous report.
Operational Projects: Seven SMR designs are already operating or under construction, with a robust pipeline for future deployments.
Interactive Data: The NEA has launched a digital interactive platform for the SMR Dashboard, offering more frequent updates.

Intensifying Strategic Drivers

NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, stated that the strategic drivers for SMR deployment are intensifying. These include rising electricity demand, particularly from data centers and expanding digital services, as well as energy security imperatives and national objectives to reduce carbon emissions. Consequently, SMRs are now a core element of energy strategies in an increasing number of countries globally.

Design Advancements and Market Readiness

The latest dashboard analyzed 74 SMR designs, assessing progress in areas such as licensing, siting, financing, supply chain readiness, stakeholder engagement, and fuel. The report indicates that approximately 85 active discussions are underway between SMR developers and potential site owners worldwide. Significant strides have also been made in securing funding, with an 81% increase in designs that have obtained financial backing or announced funding commitments since the 2024 edition.

Operational Status and Future Pipeline

Currently, seven SMR designs are either operational or under construction, signifying a strong pipeline of projects moving towards first-of-a-kind deployment. The diversity of designs available offers potential customers a wide array of choices, though this also presents challenges for regulators and the industrial supply chain. The report identifies opportunities to streamline global supply chains, promote standardization, and enhance the economic viability of SMRs.

Comprehensive Data and Accessibility

The NEA SMR Dashboard provides detailed information on each SMR design, including its technology concept, configuration, outlet temperature, size, fuel type, and enrichment requirements. The assessments are based on verifiable public sources and are supplemented by consultations with SMR designers, subject to independent verification. For the first time, the dashboard is available as a digital interactive platform, granting direct access to the NEA’s SMR database with ongoing data collection for more frequent updates. The data in this third edition reflects developments as of February 14, 2025.