World Nuclear Supply Chain Conference 2025: Building the Future for Nuclear Energy
The inaugural World Nuclear Supply Chain (WNSC) Conference, held on 20–21 May 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, brought together more than 300 high-level decision-makers from companies and government bodies from five continents. Organized by World Nuclear Association, the milestone event underscored and explored the opportunities for a resilient, scalable, and globally robust nuclear value chain to support the goal of at least tripling nuclear capacity by 2050.
A Multi-Trillion-Scale Opportunity
In her opening address, World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León highlighted “a once-in-a-generation, multi-trillion-scale opportunity.” With 66 reactors currently under construction and over 400 more in planning stages, she estimated a minimum $2 trillion investment opportunity for the global supply chain over the next 15 years.
Bilbao y León emphasized the necessity of transitioning from one-off projects to comprehensive nuclear programmes supported by industrial policies and robust supply chains. She introduced the concept of ‘glocalization’ – a strategic balance between global cooperation and local participation.
With significant growth underway, and a pipeline of projects on the horizon, the supply chain must ramp up quickly and extensively to capture the opportunities from the demand for new large-scale reactors, as well as for maintaining and upgrading the existing nuclear fleet, and for the anticipated wave of small modular reactor (SMR) deployments.
King Lee, Head of Policy and Industry Engagement, World Nuclear Association, said that in the near- to mid-term, the sector should focus on:
- Adopting best practices in project management, contractual and procurement frameworks to ensure effective allocation of risks and benefits.
- Expanding industrial capabilities and capacity to support a strong international supply network and domestic industrial development.
- Training, reskilling, and supporting the increased mobilization of workforce for the future.
- Maintaining the existing global fleet and ramping up delivery of new build projects.
A Multi-Layered Collaboration Mindset
The conference emphasized the importance of a collaboration model for the nuclear sector – where the project team works effectively together to plan, execute and deliver on time and on budget.
“Successful at-scale deployment hinges on bringing the right companies, working practices, and people together at global, regional, and local levels. When global know-how, regional capacity, and local stakeholders pull in the same direction, the supply chain becomes more than the sum of its parts – supporting a sustained pipeline of contracts at every phase, from design and construction to operation and final decommissioning.”
Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association.
From “Projects to Programmes”: Where Is the Industry Moving?
“The nuclear sector is on the cusp of an unprecedented opportunity. With international, regional, and local companies combining strengths to accelerate a wave of new deployments, the next decade may be one of the most exciting periods in the industry’s history.”
Nathan Paterson, Senior Programme Lead for Supply Chain, World Nuclear Association.
Asked about key learnings from the WNSC, Paterson listed the following points:
- Demand clarity drives investment. Suppliers act when they see credible, bankable pipelines. Transparent schedules and clear government backing are essential to mobilize capacity early.
- Importance of learning by doing. An increased number of nuclear projects improves productivity and efficiency through practice and experience, leading to reductions in cost and delivery times.
- Form high-performance delivery teams that share and align risk, budget, and schedule discipline
- Engage the Supply Chain Early. Early involvement of vendors and EPCs shapes design, secures scope, and accelerates learning. “Supply chain by design” is already underway.
- Build Resilient Partnerships. A global supply network thrives on cross-border partnerships that share risk and benefits.
- Strategic investment in domestic supply chain increases the social economic benefit to the local and regional community and generates long term values. Collaborate to Compete Globally. Navigating diverse codes and partnering locally allows suppliers to serve multiple programs. Harmonized standards and supportive policies are key.
- Catalyze Innovation. Modular builds, AI inspection, and digital twins.
- Shift from Projects to Fleets. Standardized designs and programmatic approach drive efficiency and facilitate cost certainty and reduction.
- Tap Adjacent Talent Pools. Aerospace, oil & gas, and advanced manufacturing can help close skills gaps and bring new approaches.
Poland's Nuclear Ambitions
As the event host nation, Poland showcased its commitment to Nuclear Power Programme and the development arobust domestic nuclear supply chain. The government aims for Polish companies to contribute at least 40% of the components and services for its first nuclear power plant, to be built at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the north of the country, using Westinghouse AP1000 technology. This initiative aligns with Poland's broader strategy to reduce coal dependency and foster economic growth through high-tech industries.
“Nuclear energy means independence, energy security, and clean energy for our future.” —Marzena Czarnecka, Minister for Industry, Poland
Monika Silva, Deputy General Director of IGEOS Nuclear (the nuclear energy section of the Polish Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection), noted that while some Polish companies already possess significant international project experience, the coming years of collaboration with the global nuclear sector will be crucial for unlocking their full potential—both at home and abroad.
Facilitating Global Collaboration
The conference served as more than a forum for discussion—it acted as a springboard for concrete partnerships. Over 650 business-to-business meetings were booked, fostering connections between customers, investors, buyers, and suppliers across the value chain. Delegations from countries including Canada, the U.S., India, South America, Europe, China, Japan, and South Korea participated, reflecting a broad global commitment to expanding nuclear energy capabilities.
Bilbao y León concluded with a call to action:
"Let’s work together to deliver nuclear at pace and scale. Let’s build the nuclear supply chain of the future!"
Further Reading
For more information on WNSC 2025, see:
Global nuclear industry calls for long-term and collective action, Power Magazine
Polish supply chain gears up for country's first nuclear project, World Nuclear News
Nuclear supply chain must aim for 'glocalisation', new event told, World Nuclear News
The World Nuclear Supply Chain Report, World Nuclear Association