Photo credit: EDF

Meeting the objective of tripling nuclear energy by 2050 will require the deployment of more than 20 gigawatts per year of new installed nuclear capacity from 2030 to 2050, a level of expansion that was last seen during the construction of the existing nuclear fleets in the 1970s and 1980s.

Recent nuclear construction projects in OECD countries have been, in most cases, marked by significant delays and cost overruns. Whilst some of those challenges could be attributed to difficulties inherent with the deployment of first-of-a-kind reactor designs, they revealed structural challenges across the OECD nuclear supply chain in terms of project management, contractual practices and overall delivery strategy.

In this context, the NEA is organising the first International Conference on Excellence in Nuclear Construction in London, United Kingdom, on 18-19 June 2025. This event will bring together leaders from the nuclear industry and key stakeholders in the nuclear value chain, with a particular emphasis on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies.

This conference will take an engineering-first approach, exploring the organisational, contractual and cultural factors that shape project outcomes. It will provide a platform for practical, solutions-driven dialogue on making nuclear construction faster, more predictable and more cost-effective through improvements in engineering and project execution. It comes as a response to interest from 2024 Roadmaps to New Nuclear and builds the momentum for the 2025 edition of Roadmaps to New Nuclear. 

At the 2025 nuclear construction conference, industry leaders, policymakers and experts from across the infrastructure and energy sectors will come together to address persistent challenges in nuclear construction. Held over two days, the conference will explore how leadership, governance frameworks and national conditions shape project outcomes. Sessions will examine workforce and industrial culture, contracting structures and incentive systems, highlighting their impact on efficiency and success. Discussions will also assess the promises and risks of modularisation and innovation, investigating why expected benefits often fail to materialise and what barriers must be overcome.

Building on insights from recent and ongoing nuclear projects, the event will also integrate lessons learnt from other major infrastructure megaprojects. Additionally, the conference will examine the implications of global trade shifts and geopolitical dynamics for supply chains, procurement and construction strategies. The programme will feature keynotes, fireside chats and interactive panel discussions designed to encourage meaningful engagement and knowledge exchange.

The International Conference on Excellence in Nuclear Construction is open to 250 participants.

Registration fee: 200 EUR.