Why Nuclear Stocks Like Constellation Energy Could Dominate the Next Decade

The nuclear energy sector experienced remarkable momentum throughout 2025, with companies across the industry delivering exceptional returns. This performance has renewed investor interest in atomic power as a long-term growth opportunity. Among the various players in this space, one company stands out for its existing infrastructure and strategic positioning: Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG).

If you’re considering which nuclear stocks to hold for the next decade, Constellation Energy deserves serious consideration. Here’s why this company has distinct advantages that newer market entrants cannot quickly replicate.

Operating Reality vs. Emerging Competition

The most significant advantage Constellation Energy maintains is straightforward but powerful: it actually operates nuclear power plants right now. The company runs the largest atomic power fleet in the United States, giving it a competitive moat that emerging players like Oklo or NuScale cannot match in the near term.

While newer entrants in the nuclear stocks category offer exciting prospects around innovative reactor designs and next-generation technology, they lack something fundamental—functioning, revenue-generating facilities. Constellation has already solved the regulatory, operational, and scaling challenges that startups are still years away from addressing.

Beyond its current fleet, Constellation has secured multiple long-term agreements that extend well into the future. Most notably, the company finalized a 20-year contract with Meta Platforms in June 2025, committing the full output of its Clinton Clean Energy Center beginning in 2027. Additionally, Constellation is working with Microsoft to restart operations at the former Three Mile Island Unit 1 site (now branded as Crane Clean Energy Center).

These aren’t speculative partnerships—they represent guaranteed revenue streams and demonstrate concrete demand from some of the world’s most demanding customers: artificial intelligence data centers.

Strategic Contracts and Long-Term Growth Drivers

Beyond these landmark deals, Constellation strengthened its market position significantly through its acquisition of Calpine, making it the largest electricity producer in the United States. This scale provides operational advantages and financial stability that smaller competitors cannot offer.

The accelerating demand for reliable power from AI infrastructure is reshaping energy markets. Nuclear power is positioned as one of the few viable solutions to meet this demand without carbon emissions. Large technology corporations are actively seeking long-term power contracts, and Constellation’s ability to deliver consistent, carbon-free electricity positions it as an essential partner.

CEO Joe Dominguez has also hinted at the possibility of developing proprietary next-generation reactors on existing facility sites. This suggests Constellation isn’t content to rest on current assets—the company recognizes opportunities to evolve alongside market demands and potentially incorporate advanced technologies without starting from scratch.

Evaluating the Investment Case

It’s worth noting that while Constellation Energy may not deliver the triple-digit percentage gains that speculative nuclear stocks might achieve in the near term, it offers something arguably more valuable for a decade-long holding period: stability combined with sustainable growth.

Consider the historical precedent: investors who recognized transformative technology trends early often saw exceptional long-term returns. However, execution matters immensely. Companies with proven operations, existing contracts, and established market positions tend to compound wealth more reliably than those pursuing novel approaches.

For nuclear stocks specifically, Constellation Energy represents the rare combination of current operational scale, contracted future revenues, and potential for technological advancement. The company isn’t betting on the future of nuclear energy—it’s already profiting from it while positioning for tomorrow’s opportunities.

The investment case rests not on speculative excitement but on tangible competitive advantages: a decade-spanning contract portfolio, the largest operating fleet in the nation, and partnerships with entities whose operational demands ensure sustained atomic power utilization. These factors suggest Constellation Energy warrants consideration as a cornerstone holding within any nuclear stocks allocation over the next ten years.