Nuclear energy is back in focus in the U.S., fueled by rising power demand, data centers, and new government support. In May 2025, President Trump signed executive orders (EOs) to boost the nuclear industry.

The goal is clear: expand capacity to 400 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, up from about 100 GW today. That would mean building 250–300 new reactors, a scale unseen in decades.

In the near term, the plan targets 10 new reactors by 2030. The EOs also speed up NRC licensing, expand DOE and DOD roles in plant siting, and release government uranium reserves. Additionally, to ease fuel shortages, the White House will also provide 20 metric tons of HALEU to private industry.

And all these steps could change the course of the U.S. nuclear sector, which is just starting to recover after decades of stagnation. More nuclear reactors will also mean higher demand for nuclear fuel — uranium, the yellow metal.

Nuclear Ambitions and America’s Uranium Supply Gap

A Goldman Sachs report pointed out that the U.S. is the world’s largest uranium consumer, using 29% of global supply each year. Its ~100 reactors represent a quarter of the world’s nuclear capacity.

Much of today’s demand is being fueled by tech giants. Hyperscale data centers require massive amounts of electricity, making clean and reliable power a business necessity. This shift is putting nuclear energy back in focus.

Furthermore, private sector demand is now aligning with government ambitions. Nuclear is increasingly viewed as the only scalable clean energy source that can run 24/7 while meeting both grid needs and the energy appetite of digital industries.

Yet domestic supply tells a different story. The report also says that in 2024, the U.S. produced just 0.7 million pounds of U₃O₈. Production may climb to 3.1 million pounds in 2025, but that still covers only a fraction of the nation’s needs.

This heavy reliance on foreign uranium has long been seen as a national security risk, especially amid geopolitical tensions and fragile supply chains.

Now, with Washington pushing to secure critical minerals, the tide is turning. As America works to build a self-sufficient nuclear fuel cycle, domestic suppliers like Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) will play a pivotal role.

Why Uranium Energy Corp Stands Out

Against this high uranium demand scenario, Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) has emerged as an important player. The company is already America’s largest and fastest-growing uranium supplier. It is focused on In-Situ Recovery (ISR) mining projects in the U.S., as well as high-grade conventional assets in Canada.

UEC operates three hub-and-spoke platforms across South Texas and Wyoming, with a combined licensed production capacity of 12.1 million pounds of U₃O₈ per year. This gives the company a strong foundation to scale as U.S. nuclear demand accelerates.

More importantly, as a pure-play uranium producer, the company is positioned to directly benefit from federal policies that aim to rebuild a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. The company’s growth is tied to both rising uranium demand and pricing power in a market where U.S. supply has long fallen short.

UEC Launches Refining and Conversion Subsidiary to Secure U.S. Nuclear Future

In a major step forward, UEC recently announced the creation of the United States Uranium Refining & Conversion Corp (UR&C). The wholly owned subsidiary will explore building a state-of-the-art uranium refining and UF₆ conversion facility in the U.S.

Key Highlights:

• Full Nuclear Supply Chain – UR&C would make UEC the only American firm with the capability to move uranium from mining and milling through refining, conversion, and delivery of natural UF₆ to enrichment plants for LEU and HALEU production.
• Aligned with Federal Policy – The initiative directly supports Trump’s executive orders that call for quadrupling U.S. nuclear capacity and reducing reliance on foreign sources. The plan also leverages the Defense Production Act (DPA) to prioritize an onshore fuel cycle.
• Tight Market Dynamics – UF₆ conversion pricing remains near record highs, with spot prices at $64–66/kgU and long-term contracts at around $52/kgU. The lack of U.S. conversion capacity is a key bottleneck in the supply chain.
• Designed for Scale – The proposed plant would be the largest and most modern UF₆ conversion facility in the U.S., capable of producing 10,000 metric tonnes of uranium per year. That represents more than half of U.S. demand, currently estimated at 18,000 MtU annually.
• First-Mover Advantage – UEC has already completed a year of engineering and design work with Fluor Corporation, a Fortune 500 EPC firm with deep nuclear experience. This partnership gives the project a significant head start.
• Phased Development – The project will advance in stages, with updates as government partnerships, regulatory approvals, and utility contracts progress.

If successful, the UR&C initiative would close one of the biggest gaps in America’s nuclear fuel cycle while cementing UEC’s role as a strategic supplier.

Advancing Production Across Hubs

UEC continues to expand production across its three hubs.

• Wyoming Hub – With a measured and indicated resource base of 54 million pounds, the hub supports a 14-year mine life at full capacity of 4 million pounds per year. The Irigaray Processing Plant is already active, processing, drying, and drumming yellowcake.
• Texas Hub – Holds 13 million pounds of measured and indicated resources. Expected to start production in late fiscal Q1 2026, the hub has a licensed capacity of 4 million pounds but a physical capacity of 2 million pounds per year, giving it a 6.5-year mine life.
• Sweetwater Hub – Recently acquired, it brings 4.1 million pounds of licensed capacity. The company is preparing a technical report to define resources by July 2025, with ISR production projected as early as 2029 under fast-track permitting.

Combined, these assets provide UEC with a path to 10.1 million pounds of annual physical capacity (12.1 million licensed). That makes it the largest American uranium producer by scale.

• CHECK DETAILS: UEC Stock Surges as Sweetwater Uranium Project Gets Federal Fast-Track Approval

Strategic Positioning in a Tight Market

The uranium market is tightening as global nuclear expansion accelerates. North America, Europe, and Asia are all ramping up nuclear plans in response to energy security concerns and net-zero commitments.

UEC’s focus on ISR mining—considered more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than traditional methods—adds another advantage. The company is positioned not only as a volume supplier but also as a potential price-setter as U.S. utilities look to secure domestic contracts.

With conversion and refining capacity also in play through UR&C, UEC is on track to offer utilities a vertically integrated solution, reducing reliance on foreign intermediaries.

UEC Stock Holds Strong Buy Ratings

UEC currently trades at $12.26 per share, with a market cap of $5.45 billion. Analysts maintain a “Strong Buy” consensus, with price targets clustered between $10.65 and $13 over the next year.

The company remains unprofitable, with negative EPS and no dividend, but the trajectory is improving. Analysts expect uranium demand and prices to strengthen in tandem with new reactor builds, restarts, and life extensions.

Short-term volatility remains a factor, with bearish reports occasionally weighing on sentiment. However, the structural drivers of the market—domestic energy security, rising nuclear capacity, and tight supply chains—suggest a favorable long-term outlook.

A Strategic Bet on Nuclear Fuel Security

The U.S. nuclear industry is entering a new era. With government mandates, private sector demand, and rising global momentum, nuclear is positioned for its strongest growth in decades.

Uranium Energy Corp sits at the center of this shift. Its ISR mining hubs, refining and conversion ambitions, and alignment with federal policy make it a strategic asset for America’s nuclear future.

As the U.S. works to close its uranium supply gap and build a self-sufficient fuel cycle, UEC offers investors exposure to both the near-term upswing in uranium prices and the long-term buildout of nuclear capacity.

In short, in many ways, UEC is not just supplying uranium—it is shaping the foundation of American energy security for decades to come.

• READ MORE: UEC Reports Stellar $49.8M Revenue as Net-Zero Uranium Strategy Gains Momentum 

The post U.S. Nuclear Boom and A Guide to UEC’s Role in Closing America’s Uranium Supply Gap appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker, grabbed the spotlight again after JPMorgan’s upgrade sent its shares higher. This move reflected rising optimism around CATL’s earnings outlook and China’s aggressive push into battery energy storage systems.

CATL Soars on JPMorgan Upgrade and Earnings Boost

CATL’s Hong Kong-listed shares jumped 10.2% to HK$476.8, their highest since the company’s May listing. Its Shenzhen-traded shares surged 14% to 371.52 yuan, the strongest level since late 2021.

JPMorgan analyst Rebecca Wen raised CATL’s 2025–2026 earnings forecast by nearly 10%, a Street-high estimate on expectations of strong Q3 production and rising energy storage demand.

By the close, CATL’s Hong Kong shares ended 7.4% higher, while Shenzhen shares gained 9.1%. Offshore valuations now trade about 20% above mainland prices, a rare premium among Chinese dual-listed firms.

China Doubles Down on Energy Storage

CATL’s rally came just as Beijing unveiled an ambitious plan to nearly double new energy storage capacity to 180 GW by 2027, representing roughly $35 billion in direct investment. The target marks a nearly 90% increase from the current 95 GW installed, with most of the growth coming from lithium-ion batteries.

According to the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), the country’s cumulative power storage capacity reached 164.3 GW by June 2025, up 59% year-on-year. This broadly means it surpassed 100 GW for the first time this year, a milestone that is 32 times greater than at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan.

Pumped hydro’s share has now dropped below 40%, showing a shift toward lithium-ion battery dominance.

• In just the first half of 2025, newly commissioned storage projects reached 23.03 GW/56.12 GWh, a 68% jump year-on-year.

May alone set a record with 10.25 GW/26.03 GWh of new installations, climbing more than 500% from a year earlier.

CATL Positioned to Benefit

CATL is expected to be one of the biggest winners from this rapid growth. The company has already deployed over 256 GWh of energy storage capacity across more than 1,000 projects worldwide.

Notably, China has consistently beaten its own targets, having reached its original 2025 goal of 30 GW two years ahead of schedule.

Market Leadership Stays Firm

CATL continues to dominate the global battery market, holding a 37.5% share in the first seven months of 2025, more than double that of BYD. In August, CATL’s market share in China rose to 42.4% from 41.4% the prior month, according to the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance.

Financial results also highlight its strength. CATL’s Q2 net income surged 34% to a record high, while rival BYD reported a profit decline. Analysts say CATL’s premium reflects its role as a proxy for China’s clean energy ambitions and its unrivaled scale in energy storage.

Energy Storage Boom Lifts Entire Sector

CATL’s rally boosted other Chinese battery and clean energy stocks. Companies like Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material, Sungrow Power Supply, and Eve Energy all surged in Monday’s trade.

Investor attention now turns to the World Energy Storage Conference in Ningde, Fujian—CATL’s hometown. The event is expected to spotlight China’s dominance in the energy storage sector and reinforce CATL’s role in driving the global clean energy transition.

• READ MORE: Stellantis and CATL Plan for €4.1 Billion Mega LFP Battery Plant in Spain 

China’s Megaprojects Leave U.S. Battery Storage Trailing

Mentioned before, China plans to more than double its battery storage capacity to 180 GW by 2027, supported by a $35 billion investment push and dozens of gigawatt-scale projects. The country’s National Energy Administration already reported about 95 GW of new energy storage installed by June 2025, showing just how fast capacity is expanding.

By contrast, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows domestic storage stood at only 28 GW at the end of Q1 2025, with projections to reach around 65 GW by 2026. This gap highlights the significant disparity between the U.S. and China’s scale. While America has strong growth momentum, most projects remain below the 1 GW mark.

The largest, California’s Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, currently has about 750 MW / 3,000 MWh of capacity after expansions—impressive, but modest compared to China’s gigawatt-scale rollouts.

In conclusion, we can say that CATL’s stock surge reflects strong earnings momentum and China’s rapid energy storage buildout. With China doubling its energy storage target in another two years and lithium-ion batteries dominating new projects, CATL is set to capture a major share of this growth. Its market leadership and record profits position it as the key driver of China’s clean energy ambitions, leaving the U.S. trailing in large-scale storage deployment.

READ MORE:

• The AI Energy War: How China’s Solar and Nuclear Outshine the U.S.
• China’s Clean Energy Cuts Emissions 1%, But Coal and Industry Cast a Shadow 

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Waymo, formerly Google’s self-driving car project, keeps making moves. New safety data shows its self-driving cars crash far less than human drivers. Moreover, Waymo and Lyft just announced a robotaxi deal in Nashville that pushed Lyft’s stock up over 10%. These developments highlight Waymo’s growing influence in autonomous transportation.

Waymo’s Safety Data Shows Big Reductions

Waymo has driven over 96 million miles in rider-only mode in cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It compared those miles to human driving on similar roads and found major safety improvements:

• 79% fewer airbag-deployment crashes,
• 80% fewer injury crashes, and
• 91% fewer serious injuries or worse.

These findings show Waymo can reduce serious crashes significantly. They help build trust with regulators, passengers, and city leaders.

Lyft Rides the Robotaxi Wave

Alongside its safety data release, Waymo is teaming up with Lyft to launch robotaxis in Nashville by 2026. Under the plan, passengers will initially book rides through Waymo’s app, with Lyft’s app integration to follow.

Lyft will manage the fleet through its Flexdrive unit. This includes handling depots, maintenance, and charging. The partnership is designed to start with a smaller fleet and then grow to hundreds of vehicles as the service scales.

Investors reacted quickly. Lyft’s stock jumped by 13% to 14% after the deal was announced. This shows optimism about the company’s comeback in the ride-hailing and robotaxi market.

For Waymo, the agreement is a way to expand without taking on the entire operational burden. For Lyft, it offers a way to participate in autonomous mobility after years of uncertainty about its role in the space.

• RELATED: Robotaxis Are Here: Top 3 Companies That Are Driving the Future of Ride-Hailing

Why This Partnership and More Waymo Deals Matter

The Nashville project is important. It’s Waymo’s first big partnership with Lyft for robotaxi services. The robotaxi company is changing its strategy. It will now partner with established ride-hailing platforms. This way, it can expand its reach without building everything on its own.

For Lyft, the deal brings new credibility. In recent years, the company has struggled to keep pace with Uber in traditional ride-hailing. By adding Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, Lyft gains a chance to position itself as a player in the future of mobility.

The stock market response shows that investors see this as more than just a pilot project—it is a sign of growth potential.

Cleared for Takeoff at SFO

Moreover, Waymo recently secured a permit to begin autonomous vehicle operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The permit allows Waymo to roll out a phased testing plan there.

In phase one, Waymo will map airport roadways and conduct safety trials with a human safety driver supervising. 

The company will first provide rides to airport employees. Later, it will start pickups and drop-offs for passengers. SFO is a major transit hub, serving tens of millions of travelers annually, which makes this permit highly significant. 

The decision shows strong support from local regulators. It highlights Waymo’s safety record and technical skills. This airport rollout broadens Waymo’s reach. It also helps boost commercial autonomous mobility in tricky settings. It further strengthens Waymo’s role as a leader in safely scaling autonomous ride services.

Most recently, Waymo teamed up with Via to integrate its driverless robotaxis into public transit. This begins this fall in Chandler, Arizona.

The service will plug into Chandler Flex, an on-demand microtransit system run by Via. This decision aims to improve transit accessibility, reduce costs, and enhance safety for riders.

Analysts view this as a smart move for Waymo’s robotaxi growth. It adds to their recent Lyft partnership in Nashville. It also underscores Waymo’s push to embed autonomous vehicles (AVs) in shared, transit-oriented settings. 

Broader Context of Autonomous Expansion

Waymo’s expansion into airports and now through partnerships reflects a strategy of gradual scaling. At Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, it already runs robotaxi services for travelers. 

The global picture also shows growing momentum for robotaxis. Analysts predict the autonomous vehicle industry might surpass $100 billion by 2030. They expect annual growth rates to exceed 30%. In North America, the AV market growth is staggering. 

Cities are testing grounds for this technology. Companies like Waymo, Cruise, Zoox, and Motional are all seeking permits to operate.

Waymo’s advantage lies in its long record of safety data and its willingness to publish results. In contrast, many competitors offer fewer details. Waymo shows lower crash rates over millions of miles. This builds credibility and boosts its regulatory standing.

In addition to this, robotaxis are also considered as one way to help curb the transport sector’s carbon emissions. 

Robotaxis and Emission Reductions

Robotaxis, especially electric ones, can play a major role in cutting emissions. Waymo’s all-electric fleet provides over 250,000 rides weekly, avoiding about 315 tons of CO₂. In San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix alone, the service prevents another 135 tons each week by replacing traditional cars.

Studies back these gains: research from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that electric robotaxis could emit 87–94% less greenhouse gases per mile than gasoline cars. With durable designs and clean power, fleets could lower lifecycle emissions by up to 72%, showing strong climate potential as adoption grows.

If 5% of U.S. vehicle sales in 2030 were autonomous robotaxis, that shift could save 7 million barrels of oil per year. In turn, this can reduce CO₂ emissions by about 2.1 to 2.4 million metric tons annually.

The Roadblocks Ahead

Despite the strong data and new partnerships, challenges remain. Regulatory approval is complex and can differ widely from city to city. Public trust is another factor. While safety statistics are compelling, many passengers are still uneasy about riding in cars with no human driver.

Costs are also a concern. Building and maintaining fleets of autonomous vehicles requires significant investment in hardware, software, and infrastructure. Waymo’s partnership with Lyft helps share some of that burden, but scaling to hundreds or thousands of vehicles will still take time and capital.

Competition is increasing as well. Companies such as Cruise and Zoox are also testing services in U.S. cities, while global firms in China and Europe push forward with their own models. The race is becoming crowded, and success will depend on execution, cost control, and the ability to win regulatory and public acceptance.

Looking Ahead: Driving Into Tomorrow

Waymo’s next milestones are to expand operations at the San Francisco International Airport. They also plan to launch the Nashville project with Lyft in 2026. Both will be closely watched as tests of whether autonomous vehicles can operate at scale in busy, complex environments.

The Nashville service, in particular, could become a template for future partnerships between autonomous technology companies and ride-hailing platforms. If successful, it may lead to similar deals in other U.S. cities. 

Waymo’s recent safety results show how autonomous vehicles can greatly improve road safety, as shown by the sharp drop in crash rates. Challenges remain in regulation, costs, and public trust. But with clear momentum, strong data, and strategic alliances, Waymo is shaping the path toward safer and more connected urban mobility.

• READ MORE: Waymo’s Sixth-Gen Robotaxis Outperform Uber Drivers and Expand into Philadelphia

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