Will the rate of new nuclear-to-data-center power deals approved in 2026 fall below 5 across the US?

As of mid-2026, while interest in nuclear energy for data centers has increased due to AI demand and decarbonization goals, the actual pace of approved new power deals remains slow. The regulatory hurdles, lengthy construction timelines, and significant upfront capital requirements for new nuclear projects, even small modular reactors (SMRs), have historically limited deal closures. While several preliminary agreements and feasibility studies exist, the conversion of these into fully approved power purchase agreements (PPAs) for new builds by year-end is unlikely to exceed five. My training data predates specific 2026 deal approvals, but historical precedent suggests a significant lag between interest and finalized deals for nuclear power.