The nuclear industry has seen a recent flurry of announcements, headlined by two major industry partnerships to rapidly deploy new reactors. These exciting developments come against the backdrop of a new national poll showing increased positive sentiment towards nuclear energy. This all adds to the positive tailwinds for nuclear development in the U.S.
Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) and The Nuclear Company (TNC, private) have formed a new partnership to deploy Westinghouse AP1000 and AP300 reactors, while Blue Energy (private) has teamed with GE Vernova (GEV) to pioneer a gas-plus-nuclear hybrid approach. These developments arrive as a new Gallup poll revealed record public support for nuclear energy alongside declining enthusiasm for solar and wind. Together, the announcements highlight how private-sector execution expertise and innovative deployment models are translating policy momentum and shifting sentiment into tangible project progress.
The VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index (NUKZX) provides exposure to companies that will benefit from these tailwinds. The index includes key reactor technology owners, equipment providers, and service firms positioned to generate revenue from these projects. NUKZX serves as the underlying index for the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ).
Brookfield and TNC Target Westinghouse Revival
Brookfield, a global infrastructure investment firm with more than $1 trillion in assets under management, has partnered with TNC to create a new nuclear project execution company. TNC was founded by veterans of the Vogtle Units 3 and 4 project in Georgia, which were the last large reactors built in the U.S. The new entity will specialize in end-to-end project management, licensing support, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning for Westinghouse’s AP1000 large reactors and the smaller AP300 design.
Dive deeper on Westinghouse’s reactor lineup
TNC looks to utilize the experience of their team from the previous AP1000 projects at the Vogtle nuclear plant to successfully deploy Westinghouse technology across the United States and abroad, starting with South Carolina.
The partnership has already secured a lead role for the partially completed V.C. Summer AP1000 units in South Carolina. The project was previously abandoned due to significant cost overruns. Subject to due diligence, regulatory approvals, and a final investment decision, the new company will oversee completion of the two units.
This builds directly on the U.S. government’s $80 billion strategic partnership with Brookfield and Cameco (CCJ) to deploy AP1000 technology nationwide. Cameco holds a 49% stake in Westinghouse alongside Brookfield’s 51% ownership. The collaboration leverages TNC’s AI-driven system to deliver projects on predictable timelines and budgets.
Blue Energy and GE Vernova Introduce Gas-Plus-Nuclear Hybrid
In parallel, Blue Energy and GE Vernova (GEV) announced a collaboration to build the world’s first gas-plus-nuclear power plant in Texas. The approach pairs GE Vernova’s industry-leading gas turbines for initial power generation with their BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) for long-term baseload output.
Read further on GE Vernova’s SMR design
The hybrid model enables early site energization with approximately 1 gigawatt (GW) of gas-fired power as soon as 2030, followed by the switch to roughly 1.5 GW of nuclear capacity from an array of BWRX-300s as early as 2032. Initial site work is targeted for 2026, with a final investment decision and NRC construction permit application planned for 2027. The plant will supply a nearby data center campus, meeting surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
By using a natural-gas bridge and offsite prefabrication of modules, the partnership aims to cut time-to-power in half compared with traditional nuclear timelines while lowering capital costs and avoiding ratepayer burdens. GE Vernova’s BWRX-300 is one of the only SMRs currently under construction in the Western world, and this project further de-risks the technology through resequenced construction phases recently approved by the NRC.
Gallup Poll Reflects Shifting Public Sentiment
A Gallup survey released in late April 2026 shows nuclear energy gaining ground with the American public. Support for greater emphasis on nuclear power reached 46%, its highest level in the 13 years Gallup has asked the question, and up seven points since 2021. Nuclear now holds a leading popularity among six major energy sources, including renewables.
By contrast, support for solar and wind dropped to their lowest levels in more than a decade. The narrower partisan divide on nuclear compared with renewables suggests growing bipartisan recognition of nuclear’s role in delivering reliable, dispatchable power. While some local opposition to nearby plants persists, the national trend points to stronger tailwinds for new nuclear development.
Clear Wins Across the NUKZX Value Chain
These projects directly benefit NUKZX constituents already embedded in the nuclear supply chain.
Cameco stands to gain through its ownership in Westinghouse and its fuel supply capabilities. GE Vernova benefits as the technology provider for the Texas hybrid plant and as a leader in SMR commercialization.
Engineering, procurement, and construction firms such as Fluor (FLR) are well positioned for the complex project management and site work required. Component and systems providers including Curtiss-Wright (CW) and BWX Technologies (BWXT) supply critical pumps, valves, instrumentation, and fuel-related hardware essential to both large reactors and SMRs. Mirion Technologies (MIR) and other instrumentation specialists also stand to secure orders as construction ramps.
NUKZX includes companies across the full nuclear value chain, from fuel and components to engineering, construction, and utilities. For investors interested in the global growth opportunity for nuclear power, NUKZX offers a diversified group of companies positioned to benefit from the full spectrum of the nuclear renaissance.
Related Research:
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Originally published on ETF Trends
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