World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2026 opens in Monaco at a defining moment for global energy security
The World Nuclear Fuel Cycle (WNFC) 2026 conference opened this week in Monaco, bringing together senior leaders, analysts, policymakers and commercial nuclear fuel professionals from across the global industry. Jointly organised by World Nuclear Association and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the annual conference is recognised as one of the sector’s premier forums for market intelligence, policy insights and business networking.
Director General Sama Bilbao y León opened the conference reflecting on how the global energy crisis had focused governments everywhere on the security of their energy supply. Policymakers are looking to nuclear, and 38 countries now support the goal to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050. Bilbao y León noted that players in the fuel cycle were ready to meet that demand, saying “the proven reserves of uranium are more than sufficient to support an expansion of nuclear energy globally” but "we need to invest in all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle now.”
Watch the opening WNFC video “On Track for Growth” below.
A return to energy security priorities
This year’s conference comes amid a renewed global focus on energy security, driven by continued geopolitical instability and volatile fossil fuel markets. In the wake of conflict in Iran and another energy crisis shaped by unpredictable oil and gas prices, governments are placing greater emphasis on securing reliable fuel supplies and sovereign energy assets.
For the nuclear sector, this moment is familiar. World Nuclear Association traces its roots to the Uranium Institute, founded in the mid‑1970s during a previous energy crisis to help project supply and demand and ensure the resilience of future nuclear fuel supply chains. Today, 25 years after the founding of the Association in its current form, the mission remains as relevant as ever.
Understanding the nuclear fuel cycle
As delegates discuss market trends and supply chain resilience, many will draw on the Association’s long-standing analytical work, including the World Nuclear Fuel Report. See how we compile the World Nuclear Fuel Report and an overview of the 2025 edition.
For those seeking a deeper dive into how the fuel cycle works, our World Nuclear News explainer offers a clear overview of the industrial processes that transform uranium into electricity, along with insights into the major players involved.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming days, WNFC 2026 will explore the full landscape of the commercial fuel sector—from conversion, enrichment and fabrication to market dynamics, policy developments and the evolving role of nuclear in global energy systems.
With governments reassessing energy priorities and markets undergoing rapid change, the conversations in Monaco will help shape the industry’s collective response to deliver nuclear capacity expansion amid another global energy crisis.
Thanks to our partners
Thank you to our sponsors LIS Technologies, UxC, Westinghouse, AtkinsRéalis, and AMPERA, and thank you to our technical tour providers, Orano Tricastin, EDF’s Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant, and Framatome’s Romans-sur-Isère.
