Improving licensing to enable timely nuclear deployment: outcomes from the Warsaw workshop
In April 2026, World Nuclear Association co-organised with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency Working Group on Policy and Licensing (WGPL), a high-level workshop in Warsaw on the efficient and effective licensing of new nuclear power plants. Hosted by Poland’s national regulatory authority, Państwowa Agencja Atomistyki (PAA), the event brought together regulators and industry experts at a critical moment for global nuclear deployment.
Watch Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General of World Nuclear Association's opening comments to the workshop:
Responding to Growing Demand for New Nuclear
King Lee, Head of Policy and Industry Engagement opened the event with findings from Association’s World Nuclear Outlook Report setting out the governments ambition for global nuclear deployment. The ambition presents both opportunities and challenges. Governments, regulators and industry are seeking ways to improve licensing to deliver timely, predictable outcomes.
Licensing remains one of the most critical stages of nuclear new build project development, particularly for first-of-a-kind projects and where vendors and operators engage with regulatory agencies, potentially across multiple jurisdictions. Improving licensing and making permitting more efficient is essential for nuclear energy to scale in line with government policy ambitions.
A Collaborative Approach to Complex Challenges
Through a combination of plenary discussions and breakout sessions, participants exchanged perspectives on the practical realities of licensing new nuclear projects. Key themes included:
- Identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in current regulatory processes
- Exploring how innovative technologies and regulatory approaches can streamline licensing
- Sharing lessons learned from recent projects across different jurisdictions
- Examining pathways to reduce timelines for both first-of-a-kind and subsequent deployments
A central takeaway was the value of early and continuous engagement between industry and regulators. Participants highlighted that greater alignment, particularly in expectations, data requirements, and review processes, can significantly reduce duplication of effort and improve overall project timelines.
Supporting Policy Development and Best Practice
World Nuclear Association with the support from our industry members is working to improve in licensing frameworks internationally. Current activities include:
- Reviewing regulatory developments in key nuclear markets to identify emerging good practices
- Providing guidance to industry on effective engagement with regulators
- Contributing to government consultations and calls for evidence on regulatory reform
Insights from the workshop will inform future work within both World Nuclear Association and the OECD NEA, including potential joint initiatives.
Delivering Value for Industry and Investors
Improving licensing efficiency is not only a technical or regulatory objective. It is also central to the economic viability of nuclear projects. Streamlined and predictable licensing processes can:
- Reduce overall project timelines
- Lower development and financing risks
- Enhance investor confidence
- Contribute to lower costs and more competitive nuclear energy
As global energy systems transition towards low-carbon solutions, these improvements will be critical to enabling nuclear power to scale at the pace required.
Maintaining momentum
The workshop underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between regulators and industry. Continued engagement will be key to translating dialogue into tangible outcomes—ensuring that future licensing frameworks support both safety and timely delivery.
World Nuclear Association with the support from our industry members will continue to engage regulatory bodies and international partners to build on this momentum and advance practical solutions that support the global nuclear deployment.
Photo of organising committee: Ronan Tanguy (World Nuclear Association) Odd Runevall (SSM), Eric Lemoine (CNSC), Bartek Rzentkowski (CNSC), Michael Wentzel (USNRC), Krzysztof Otlik (PAA), Brian Proudfoot (ONR), Redouane El Ghalbzouri (OECD NEA), Toshiyuki Koganeya (NRA).