Nuclear power

Nuclear power generates electricity by harnessing the power of atoms and the energy stored in their chemical bonds. When atoms split, they release energy. A nuclear plant works by splitting atoms and using the energy released by them in a controlled environment. 

Nuclear power is carbon-free, but it can be controversial with the prospect of radiation leaks and a history of disasters. 

• The uranium market has been in a funk ever since the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan. 
• Few Japanese nuclear plants have come back on-line in the interim, with LNG and coal providing the bridge fuel. 

The 447 global active nuclear reactors (99 reactors in the USA provide 20% of the USA energy needs) require 140 million lbs. of U308 uranium per annum. 

Nuclear reactors under construction, 2019.

1. China: 13
2. India: 7
3. South Korea: 5
4. Russia: 4
5. UAE: 4
6. Bangladesh: 2
7. Belarus: 2
8. Japan: 2
9. Pakistan: 2
10. Slovakia: 2
11. US: 2
12. Argentina: 1
13. Finland: 1
14. France: 1
15. Turkey: 1
16. UK: 1

(World Nuclear Association)

The Taishan nuclear power plant in the Chinese province of Guangdong.

Top Nuclear Energy Stocks

Oklo (OKLO) -- focused on the emerging small modular reactor, or SMR, technology. The startup is looking to bring its first commercial SMR online in late 2027 or early 2028.

No operating SMRs now exist, but a number of companies are developing the technology. SMRs aim to provide power at the company level, drastically reducing the time and cost of permitting, constructing and operating full-scale nuclear facilities.

Other  SMR-focused plays NuScale Power (SMR) and Nano Nuclear Energy (NNE)

GE Vernova (GEV), Uranium Energy (UEC), (LTBR), Energy Fuels (UUUU)

1.      US Ecology Inc (ECOL)

Market Cap: $1.39 billion
Performance: 25.2% annual return
2.      FirstEnergy Corp (FE)

Market Cap: $19.83 billion
Performance: 19.15% annual return
3.      Nextera Energy Inc (NEE)

Market Cap: $84.99 billion
Performance: 12.08% annual return
4.      Exelon Corporation (EXC)

Market Cap: $45.89 billion
Performance: 12% annual return
5.      Ameren Corp (AEE)

Market Cap: $16.82 billion
Performance: 8.8% annual return

BWX Technologies (BWXT), the U.S. Navy's main nuclear reactor supplier