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 organised the first International Conference on Excellence in Nuclear Construction in London, United Kingdom, on 18–19 June 2025. The event brought 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.

The conference took an engineering-first approach, exploring the organisational, contractual, and cultural factors that shaped project outcomes. It provided a platform for practical, solutions-driven dialogue on how to make nuclear construction faster, more predictable, and more cost-effective through improvements in engineering and project execution. It responded to the interest expressed in the 2024 Roadmaps to New Nuclear and helped build momentum for the 2025 edition.

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

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

The International Conference on Excellence in Nuclear Construction welcomed 150 participants from 25 countries.