Global Surge in Small Modular Reactor Deployment Highlighted in New NEA Dashboard

September 14, 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 analyzes 74 SMR designs, underscoring the growing role of SMRs in national energy strategies driven by increasing electricity demand, energy security concerns, and climate change mitigation goals.

Key Takeaways

51 SMR designs are currently in pre-licensing or licensing stages across 15 countries.
Approximately 85 active discussions are underway between SMR developers and potential site owners globally.
An 81% increase in SMR designs securing funding or announcing funding commitments has been observed since the previous edition.
Seven SMR designs are already operating or under construction, with a robust pipeline for future deployments.

Global Expansion and Strategic Drivers

NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, stated that the "strategic drivers for SMR deployment – rising electricity demand, including from data centres and expanding digital services, energy security imperatives and national goals set by many countries to reduce carbon emissions – are intensifying." He further emphasized that SMRs are now a fundamental component of energy strategies in an increasing number of nations worldwide.

The latest dashboard indicates substantial progress in various aspects of SMR development, including licensing, siting, financing, supply chain readiness, and fuel availability. The report highlights that 51 SMR designs are actively engaged in pre-licensing or licensing processes in 15 different countries. Furthermore, there are around 85 ongoing discussions between SMR developers and site owners globally, signaling strong interest and potential for future projects.

Funding and Project Pipeline

Since the 2024 edition of the NEA SMR Dashboard, there has been a remarkable 81% surge in the number of SMR designs that have secured at least one funding source or have announced funding commitments. This financial momentum is crucial for advancing the technology towards commercialization. Currently, seven SMR designs are either operational or under construction, with a promising pipeline of projects moving towards first-of-a-kind deployment.

Challenges and Opportunities

The diversity of SMR designs offers potential customers a wide array of choices, but it 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. These efforts are vital for ensuring the efficient and widespread adoption of this technology.

Interactive Digital Platform

For the first time, the NEA SMR Dashboard is available as a digital interactive platform. This new feature provides direct access to the NEA’s SMR database, allowing for ongoing data collection and more frequent updates to assessments. The data in this third edition reflects developments as of February 14, 2025.