Bloomberg Businessweek The Race for the World's First Advanced Nuclear Microreactor Developer
Nov 5, 2025
James Walker, CEO of NANO Nuclear Energy, leads innovative efforts on the KRONOS micro modular reactor, while Will Wade brings his expertise as a Bloomberg News energy reporter. They dive into the challenges and potential of advanced nuclear technology. Key topics include the U.S. nuclear construction landscape, the historical context of reactor closures, and the competitive global nuclear market. They also discuss ambitious timelines for the first small modular reactors and the interplay between immediate energy demands and future nuclear solutions.
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The 'Dead Nukes' Spreadsheet
- Will Wade kept a “dead nukes” spreadsheet tracking a dozen reactors shut over the past decade.
- He says those shutdowns made sense at the time because the reactors were expensive and demand/pricing dynamics differed then.
Indian Point Closed Early For Politics
- Will Wade described Indian Point as closed ahead of time due to political pressure about proximity to NYC.
- He links that closure to increased state emissions after replacing nuclear with natural gas.
Nuclear Demand Driven By AI And Data Centers
- Interest in nuclear has surged because electricity demand will spike, notably from data centers and AI.
- Nuclear is favored because it supplies clean baseload power unlike intermittent renewables.