The nuclear industry is experiencing significant growth – governments and the private industries around the world are seeking clean, reliable, and economical energy solutions to meet climate and security goals alongside the ever-increasing demand for energy.
The goal to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, is supported by 31 countries, along with than 140 nuclear industry companies through an accompanying industry pledge. In New York Climate week 2024, fourteen of the world’s largest financial institutions supported this goal, and in 2025 at the CERAWeek conference, major companies including Google, Amazon, Meta, and Dow signed a large energy users pledge endorsing the same goal.
Today there are 65 reactors under construction around the world. And there are well over 400 proposed reactor units at various degrees of project maturity and planning, totalling some 500 GWe, making a major contribution to achieving the tripling goal.
Expansion of global nuclear capacity is being driven by extensions to operating lifetimes and restarts of existing plants, increasing deployment of new reactors in many regions and accelerating development of new technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) by governments and private companies. The utilisation of nuclear power for new applications is moving forward with innovation in the nuclear sector too. From big tech to manufacturing to aviation and maritime – energy users are looking for clean and reliable power sources to meet climate and energy security goals.
However, to achieve a tripling of global nuclear capacity, a significant increase in the global nuclear supply chain capability and capacity is paramount. It cannot be emphasised enough that a well-functioning international nuclear supply chain will be required.
The future of nuclear energy offers vast potential, with multiple avenues for growth. This growth presents unprecedented opportunities for the entire nuclear value chain. It is no surprise that some leading nuclear suppliers are already announcing their plans to expand their manufacturing facilities to be ready for the wave of projects that are on the horizon. There are examples of this with BWXT in Canada, announcing expansion of manufacturing plants to support global nuclear power market, while Holtec International in collaboration with Hyundai E&C are targeting 10 GW SMR fleet in the US.
The expansion extends to reactor technology vendors, engineering and construction companies, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers and professional services organizations. Similarly, companies involved in reactor construction and deployment, fuel services, operations, and maintenance (O&M), and waste management will see expanded roles as new reactors come online.
With greater interest in nuclear and more project plans and proposals, the market for nuclear is growing. As shown is Figure 1, below, in the 2023 edition of the World Nuclear Association Supply Chain report, the investment required for nuclear reactor projected by 2040 was in the region of $1.8 trillion. This previous projection was focused on existing plans for large scale reactors and do not include most recent SMR deployments or the opportunity for sector coupling of new nuclear asset for dedicated energy users – all of which has increased in the last two years.
The nuclear supply chain – far more than the sum of its parts
Current nuclear power plant projects are a major infrastructure development requiring the integration of many organisations, systems, and people. A successful supply chain is much more than the logistical aspect of component manufacturing and assembly of nuclear projects. The full suite of project management and deployment of a wide range of skills for the delivery of new nuclear programmes is required, providing a holistic view of the supply chain alongside the manufacturing of components. As the industry moves towards an approach of programmes progressing from individual projects, a comprehensive global nuclear supply chain is essential.
Achieving the goal of tripling nuclear capacity means that we are going to need existing nuclear and new nuclear. Large reactors, small reactors, microreactors, traditional reactors and advanced reactors to produce electricity and for non-electric applications, all will play their part. And it is the supply chain that is going to have to produce the products, the services, the skills, and the innovation, as well as the drive for all this to be realised. Recognising this and to support the growing policy momentum to expand the use of nuclear energy globally, World Nuclear Association has launched a new international platform to help develop the supply chain to capitalise on growing opportunities and build future success in nuclear project deployment. Providing a forum to mobilise stakeholders into strengthening and scaling the global nuclear supply chain, the annual World Nuclear Supply Chain Conference will be held on 20-21 May 2025, in Warsaw, Poland.
Designed to connect and unite the industry, the event is supported by the Polish Ministry of Industry will bring together key stakeholders, policy makers, developers, vendors, engineering organisations, constructors, manufacturers, and suppliers from across the world.
Considering the full nuclear life cycle from development, construction, and operation through to decommissioning and focusing on project delivery, manufacturing, and services some of the key themes at the conference will be demand and opportunities, project delivery models, procurement management, advanced manufacturing, supporting localisation as a growth driver and revolutionising the supply chain through innovation.
Finding the right supply chain balance is critical to unlock efficiency, ensuring stability and security and unlocking local growth. Crucially, the Association’s expert industry working group on the supply chain is able to engage with industry and other stakeholders to facilitate a successful, efficient and resilient global nuclear supply chain. While there are challenges to overcome and to ready the industry for such an expansion, it comes with great opportunity and many benefits for wider socio-economic development.
To learn more about the World Nuclear Supply Chain Conference see: https://world-nuclear.org/events/1010/supply-chain
