NuScale Power (SMR) saw its stock soar 5.13% in pre-market trading on Thursday, as investors reacted positively to the company's progress in bringing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to market. The surge comes as NuScale approaches a significant milestone in its 17-year journey to commercialize its innovative nuclear technology.

NuScale has made substantial strides in recent years, becoming the first company to receive certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its 50-megawatt (MW) unit in 2023, followed by certification for a larger 77 MW version in May 2025. With these crucial approvals in hand, the company has already begun production of 12 modular units, positioning itself to fulfill its first commercial order.

Investors are particularly excited about the prospect of NuScale booking its first order by the end of the year. This potential deal would mark a turning point not only for the company but for the entire small modular reactor industry. The successful deployment of NuScale's technology could pave the way for wider adoption of SMRs in various applications, including civilian power generation and powering energy-hungry data centers for artificial intelligence operations. As the company moves closer to real-world implementation, it maintains a competitive edge over rivals like Oklo, Westinghouse, and GE Vernova, who are still in earlier stages of development and certification for their SMR designs.