# NuScale's nuclear breakthrough: early promise, years away

> Small modular reactor maker NuScale solved a key engineering challenge, but commercial deployment is still a decade off.
- Title: NuScale's nuclear breakthrough: early promise, years away
- Summary: Small modular reactor maker NuScale solved a key engineering challenge, but commercial deployment is still a decade off. NuScale's boron-oxide pellet…
- Keywords: nuscale power, small modular reactors, nuclear energy, engineering breakthrough, boron-oxide pellets, passive safety systems, nuclear regulatory commission, romania deployment, tennessee valley authority, energy infrastructure, business, finance
- Source: Yahoo Finance — https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/nuscale-power-just-solved-major-124600015.html
- Published: 2026-09-16T12:46:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nuscale power, small modular reactors, nuclear energy, engineering breakthrough, boron-oxide pellets, passive safety systems, nuclear regulatory commission, romania deployment, tennessee valley authority, energy infrastructure, business, finance
## NuScale achieves nuclear safety breakthrough
On September 1st, NuScale and MilleniTEK successfully fabricated boron-oxide pellets, a critical component of the company's passive emergency cooling system for small modular reactors.

> NuScale achieved a major engineering breakthrough. In collaboration with MilleniTEK, it successfully fabricated specialized boron-oxide pellets.
## How passive cooling prevents meltdowns
NuScale's 77 megawatt reactors use pellets that automatically dissolve in coolant to control reactivity without operator intervention, eliminating the need for active mechanical systems that can fail.
## Pre-fabrication avoids construction delays
By manufacturing boron-oxide pellets before construction starts, NuScale avoids the supply chain bottlenecks that have plagued nuclear projects and caused massive cost overruns.

> Nuclear projects have a history of delays and cost overruns, in some cases because teams try to work out engineering and component challenges on-site.
## NuScale's own project failed in 2023
NuScale's Carbon Free Power Project with Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems was cancelled in 2023 due to escalating costs, costing the company tens of millions of dollars.

> NuScale's own Carbon Free Power Project with Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems ended in 2023 due to escalating costs.
## Romania project targets 2033 launch
NuScale's only current project is the RoPower Doicești Project in Romania, which plans to deploy up to six reactors with the first coming online in 2033.
## TVA deal could be massive catalyst
NuScale is working with ENTRA1 Energy to potentially secure a deal with the Tennessee Valley Authority to deploy up to 72 of its reactors, with management hoping to close the deal by year-end.
## Stock remains high-risk for long-term players
NuScale is still in early stages with no operational reactors until the 2030s, making it a high-risk stock best suited for aggressive long-term investors willing to wait a decade for returns.

> NuScale's SMRs won't be operational until the 2030s, making NuScale a high-risk stock best left to aggressive long-term investors.
## Key takeaway

NuScale's boron-oxide pellet breakthrough proves its safety system can be manufactured at scale, reducing construction delays, but the company won't have operational reactors until the 2030s.