World Nuclear Association at Davos 2026: Shaping the Global Energy Conversation

Nuclear energy at the World Economic Forum: from ambition to delivery  

At the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, World Nuclear Association advanced a clear and authoritative message: nuclear energy is central to economic resilience, industrial competitiveness, and climate ambition. Across high-level panels, private roundtables and international media engagements, the Association helped shape global expectations of what nuclear energy can deliver.  

This dialogue at Davos took place as electrification accelerates and geopolitical uncertainty reshapes energy priorities. Energy security for economic growth emerged as a defining theme, meaning nuclear energy featured consistently in discussions. There is a rising level of recognition amongst governments, financial institutions, and major energy users alike, that nuclear energy is a strategic asset that can anchor stable electricity systems while supporting industrial transformation and long-term growth. 

World Nuclear Outlook evidence shaping global energy discussions 

The Association’s contribution was grounded in evidence from the recently published World Nuclear Outlook Report, which underscores the scale and momentum of global nuclear ambition. Fifty countries now plan to have nuclear generation operating by 2050, with established nuclear nations accounting for nearly one thousand gigawatts of projected capacity. This reflects a structural shift in how governments view nuclear energy. Beyond emissions reduction, it is increasingly treated as infrastructure supporting economic resilience and energy independence. 

This ambition is not confined to the long term. The Outlook shows that global nuclear capacity is on track to reach 502 gigawatts by 2030, driven largely by reactors already under construction. This near-term trajectory, often underrepresented in policy debate, is essential to translating ambition into delivery and to accelerating deployment timelines as electricity demand rises faster than many energy systems are prepared for. 

Why electrification is redefining energy security priorities 

A central theme woven through Davos discussions was that today’s energy challenge is fundamentally a systems challenge. Nations must maintain reliability as electrification accelerates, meet data-driven and industrial demand, and build resilience against extreme weather, cyber risk and disrupted supply chains. In this context, World Nuclear Association articulated why nuclear energy is uniquely positioned to anchor clean and resilient power systems. 

Twelve of the world’s fifteen largest economies already use nuclear energy, directly linking energy security to economic performance. As countries across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America develop industrial strategies and evaluate pathways to long-term competitiveness, policymakers and corporate leaders increasingly frame nuclear energy as infrastructure critical to reliability, competitiveness and growth. Nuclear delivery emphasized by industry leaders in high-level sessions 

World Nuclear Association Directror General, Dr Sama Bilbao y León, participated in several high-profile panels that brought these themes into sharp focus. In the session Clear-eyed about the Nuclear Renaissance, Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, EDF Chief Executive Bernard Fontana and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Chief Executive Eisaku Ito, centred the discussion on delivery. Sweden’s accelerated approach to new nuclear deployment, France’s focus on sustaining and standardising its fleet, and Japan’s objective to reach 20 to 22 percent nuclear generation by 2050 all reinforced a common conclusion. Existing nuclear fleets will remain the backbone of clean electricity systems well into mid-century, even as new capacity is added. 

This perspective aligns closely with the findings of the World Nuclear Outlook Report, which shows that most of today’s nuclear reactors are expected to remain in operation in 2050, with lifetimes extended to 60 or even 80 years. Maintaining, modernising, and extending the life of the current fleet is therefore a cornerstone of the global energy transition. 

Nuclear energy in Africa and emerging economies 

A further milestone at Davos 2026 was the first dedicated World Economic Forum panel focused on nuclear energy in Africa, reflecting the growing prominence of the continent in global nuclear discussions. With electricity demand rising rapidly and more than six hundred million people still lacking access to power, the panel highlighted nuclear energy as a long-term solution capable of supporting development, industrialisation, and energy security. 

Dr Bilbao y León moderated a discussion between South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania A. Al-Mashat, African Union Commissioner Lerato D. Mataboge, Namibia’s National Planning Commission Director General Kaire Mbuende, and Absa Group Chief Executive Kenny Fihla. IAEA’s DG Rafael Grossi provided framing remarks. A key signal from the session was that nuclear energy in Africa is moving from long term aspiration to active planning, with several countries now aligning policy, institutions, and financing models. 

Panellists highlighted tangible progress already underway, including Egypt’s first nuclear power plant, South Africa’s life extension programme and plans for new capacity, and growing interest from more than a dozen other African countries. Africa’s share of global uranium resources and the potential role of small modular reactors were also identified as strategic advantages enabling flexible, country-specific deployment pathways. World Nuclear Association is working closely with African countries, including Rwanda and Senegal, which recently joined the Declaration to Triple Global Nuclear Capacity by 2050, signalling rising ambition across the continent. This progress is further detailed in the World Nuclear Outlook Report. 

The session reinforced a broader message heard throughout Davos. For emerging economies, nuclear energy is increasingly viewed not only as a clean energy option but as foundational infrastructure capable of supporting economic growth, grid stability, and long-term energy sovereignty when paired with strong institutions, skilled workforces, and international cooperation. 

Coal to clean energy transitions and industrial competitiveness 

Discussions on coal-to-clean pathways further highlighted nuclear energy’s role in practical decarbonisation. World Nuclear Association emphasised how nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, can support the repowering of existing coal sites, leveraging established grid connections, cooling access and local workforces. Beyond emissions reduction, this approach offers a credible pathway for industrial communities to transition toward long-term, high-quality employment and socio-economic development. 

Industrial competitiveness and capital mobilisation were also central to the Association’s engagement. In sessions focused on private investment and future power systems, discussions explored how nuclear energy can underpin industrial decarbonisation by delivering not only electricity but also heat, cooling and water. The importance of reducing time to power through effective permitting, aligned regulatory frameworks and disciplined project execution emerged as a shared priority across technologies. 

Innovation, capital and global cooperation on clean energy systems 

World Nuclear Association also contributed to the World Economic Forum’s Innovation Playbook for Future Power Systems, supporting the development of practical case studies and best practices that highlight how large-scale clean energy systems can be delivered efficiently. This work reinforces the Association’s role as a trusted source of intelligence and analysis for global decision-makers. 

Beyond formal sessions, World Nuclear Association engaged extensively with government leaders, investors, technology providers and major energy users. These conversations underscored the widening interest from countries exploring nuclear energy for the first time and highlighted the readiness of the global nuclear industry, experienced nuclear nations and multilateral institutions to collaborate with emerging programmes. 

From Davos dialogue to global nuclear delivery 

Overall, Davos 2026 blended geopolitical tension with ambitious technological and economic goals. The week highlighted both the fragility and the potential of international cooperation. Energy security and independence, together with energy for competitiveness and economic development, were front and centre. Across discussions, nuclear energy was treated as critical infrastructure for securing reliable, lowcarbon electricity at scale. 

The conversations now move from Davos to delivery, and World Nuclear Association looks forward to continuing to support governments, industry, and financial institutions in translating ambition into action over the months ahead.