The U.S. nuclear sector advanced on two fronts in recent days. Advanced microreactors completed a key federal target while the existing commercial fleet signed a landmark agreement with a major retailer. These moves show momentum at both the innovation edge and the operating base.
Key Takeaways
- Deployable Energy’s Unity microreactor reached criticality at Idaho National Laboratory. This completed the third advanced reactor demonstration under a presidential executive order.
- Constellation Energy (CEG) signed a long-term power purchase agreement to supply electricity from one of its reactors in Illinois to a Walmart (WMT) distribution center.
- Companies in the nuclear fuel and manufacturing supply chains are positioned to support both rapid advanced reactor testing and uprates at operating plants.
Microreactors Complete President’s Executive Order Target
Deployable Energy achieved criticality with its Unity microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory. This marks the third advanced microreactor to reach this state in recent months. We went into further detail last month, when the first reactor obtained criticality, regarding what this means:
Read more: Critical Momentum: The Nuclear Renaissance Heats Up
It fulfills President Trump’s May 2025 executive order. The order set a goal for three advanced reactors to attain criticality by July 4, 2026. Antares Nuclear and Valar Atomics completed the first two criticalities in June. These fast timelines highlight the effectiveness of the DOE Reactor Pilot Program.
With the program enabling the achievement of the executive order goal, the nuclear industry demonstrates significant potential. The success of the bleeding edge of advanced nuclear technology unlocks the potential for significant supply chain capacity expansion.
Companies including BWX Technologies (BWXT) and Mirion Technologies (MIR) are deeply integrated to supply fuel and instrumentation for the development of these microreactors.
Existing Fleet Expands to New Retail Customer
Constellation announced a long-term agreement with Walmart. The deal supplies power from the Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois. Dresden hosts two boiling water nuclear reactors.
The power purchase agreement includes support for uprates that boost output from the existing reactor units. The agreement covers approximately 176 megawatts of capacity for supplying power to Walmart’s high-tech distribution center in Belvidere.
This represents one of the first nuclear power purchase agreements for a major retailer. The structure extends reliable, carbon-free baseload power beyond typical hyperscale data centers or heavy industrial users. Uprates at operating plants increase generation without new construction, and support long-term reliability and local economic activity.
NUKZX Captures Both Ends of the Spectrum
The VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index (NUKZX) includes companies positioned for both developments. NUKZX offers exposure across the nuclear value chain to include companies in fuel supply sectors such as BWXT and GE Vernova (GEV). Companies including FlowServe (FLS) and MIR are also positioned to benefit from the recent significant support pledged by the Department of Energy.
Read more: DOE’s $17.5B Loan Boosts Nuclear Supply Chain
These firms generate revenue from accelerated demonstration programs. They also benefit from capital spending on existing plant enhancements. NUKZX serves as the underlying index for the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ ). Investors gain diversified exposure to the full nuclear value chain through this structure.
Related Research:
DOE’s $17.5B Loan Boosts Nuclear Supply Chain
Critical Momentum: The Nuclear Renaissance Heats Up
The Geopolitical Bull Case for Nuclear
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