The United States and the United Kingdom have announced a landmark initiative called the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy. This partnership aims to speed up the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies. These include small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. They are smaller, more flexible, and often cheaper to build than traditional nuclear plants.
Both nations view this agreement as a way to secure their energy futures while also cutting carbon emissions. The partnership involves sharing research, aligning regulations, and boosting supply chains for nuclear parts and fuel.
By doing so, the US and UK hope to accelerate projects that can deliver reliable, clean power not only at home but also to global markets.
The announcement comes at a time when energy security and climate change are pressing issues. Recent global events, like rising fossil fuel prices and supply issues, highlight the need to diversify energy sources. And nuclear energy is gaining attention again. It can provide steady, low-carbon electricity. This makes it a key part of our energy mix.
Oklo’s Meteoric Rise
The news has sent ripples through the financial markets. Companies in advanced nuclear technology feel the impact the most. One of the biggest winners is Oklo Inc. (OKLO).
The company focuses on creating compact microreactors. These reactors provide clean, reliable power for various needs, including industrial operations, military bases, and remote communities.
Oklo’s stock has been on a dramatic upward path after the announcement:
- 1,460% increase in one year — rising from $6.20 on September 16, 2024, to $96.70 today.
- 30% gain in just five days, from September 11 to September 16, 2025.
This performance has positioned Oklo as one of the standout companies in the clean energy sector. Investors believe the company’s technology and solid policy support will make it key in the global nuclear revival.
Moreover, Oklo was chosen by the U.S. Air Force in June to build a microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. It has a capacity of up to 75 megawatts of combined electrical and thermal power. The project will be designed, built, owned, and operated by Oklo on-site, helping the base cut fuel deliveries and improve energy security.
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Why Nuclear Energy is Back in Focus
The renewed focus on nuclear energy is not accidental. The world is experiencing rapid growth in electricity demand.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity use could rise by 30% between 2023 and 2030. A lot of this growth will come from electric vehicles, industrial electrification, and big data centers. These centers are needed to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
At the same time, governments around the world have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the middle of the century. Nuclear energy already provides 10% of global electricity and about 25% of all low-carbon power. Without nuclear, meeting climate targets would be much more difficult.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has also emphasized the role of nuclear in reducing emissions. Their reports show that doubling or tripling nuclear power by 2050 could cut billions of tons of CO₂ from the global energy system.
The chart below from Katusa Research shows how much nuclear power the world needs by 2050 in different scenarios.
Small Reactors, Big Promise
Traditional nuclear plants are large, costly, and can take more than a decade to complete. In contrast, advanced reactors are designed to be smaller, modular, and easier to construct. Oklo’s main project, the Aurora microreactor, provides about 1.5 megawatts of electricity. This is enough to power hundreds of homes or a small industrial site.
Aurora reactors are designed to run for up to 20 years without refueling. Oklo is also developing technologies to recycle used nuclear fuel. This process turns waste into a resource, enhancing the sustainability of nuclear energy.
The US-UK partnership is expected to speed up the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactors. Both countries aim to launch new nuclear designs in under a decade. They plan to do this by aligning regulations and funding demonstration projects.
Billions Flowing Into Atoms
The nuclear industry is experiencing a wave of new investment. The IEA says that yearly investment in nuclear energy should double to around $120 billion by 2030. This growth comes as governments and companies seek reliable, clean power.
Several countries are already moving forward with SMR projects. Canada has committed $970 million to develop SMRs in Ontario. Poland and Romania are working with US-based companies to deploy new reactor designs. Japan, South Korea, and France have also signaled stronger support for nuclear after years of slower growth.
Oklo stands out in this context because of its early-mover advantage in microreactors. Its reactors are smaller than most SMRs. This makes them ideal for specialized markets such as off-grid industries, island nations, and military uses. This flexibility gives the company a potential edge as countries and companies look for clean, scalable power solutions.
Investor Bet on Oklo
Oklo’s stock rally is part of a broader trend of growing investor enthusiasm for nuclear. Over the past year, companies tied to the nuclear sector have outperformed broader market indexes.
While the S&P 500 gained around 12% in the past 12 months, Oklo’s more than 1,400% increase stands out as extraordinary. By comparison, NuScale Power, another SMR developer, has seen more modest stock performance as it works to advance its projects.
The surge highlights both the opportunities and risks of investing in emerging nuclear technologies. Oklo still has big challenges ahead. They need regulatory approvals and must scale up manufacturing. However, the market is signaling confidence that Oklo’s approach aligns with the global push for clean, dependable power.
What This Means Going Forward
The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy marks a turning point in transatlantic cooperation. The US and UK are joining forces. By sharing their expertise, resources, and political will, they send a strong message: Nuclear energy will be key to their strategies.
For Oklo, the timing could not be better. Investor enthusiasm is high, government policies are supportive, and demand for clean energy is rising. And so, the company can take advantage of the nuclear boom.
If Oklo can deliver on its promises, it could help reshape the way the world thinks about nuclear power. Microreactors could become common in places where traditional reactors were never an option, from rural communities to industrial hubs.
The company’s story also reflects a larger shift. Nuclear power, once seen as a legacy technology, is now being recast as a driver of innovation and climate action. The mix of private-sector energy and government support could finally unleash its full potential.
