"What about the costs, both in terms of Capex to build them and the levelised cost of the power they produce?
Gadomski said: “We are very suspect of projections of costs from companies because they're inclined to be more favourable, as opposed to being more realistic. I think that getting a good cost estimate is something that is not possible right now because we haven't built any.”"
>I don't see evidence of even one startup failing there
"SMR developers will all want to avoid the fate of NuScale, the sector trailblazer that saw a pioneering US power deal cancelled when its estimated LCOE soared to $89/MWh from a previous $58/MWh."
Just a 100% cost mistake. Oops.
And even if they could have reached their 58$/MWh target, let's see what is the cost of competition...
"Firm wind-plus-storage costs in 2025 ranged from around $59/MWh in Inner Mongolia to $88/MWh to $94/MWh across Brazil, Germany, and Australia, with costs projected to fall to roughly $49/MWh to $75/MWh across those markets by 2030."
Oops oops.
"Construction timelines are also shortening, with projects typically built within one to two years of securing permits and grid connection."
Oops oops oops.
Renewable is running circles around nuclear. Every renewable technology is beating forecast. Every nuclear technology is breaking costs predictions and deadlines.
Not only that, but the landscape of SMRs research and development is becoming very rich [0]. I think we are going to see a renaissance of reactor technology in the coming decade, and it will be well deserved.
Are you of the opinion that the comments on that article are conclusive evidence for all SMR startups failing?
If so, how? Please try to be specific.
I don't see evidence of even one startup failing there, never mind all of them.