Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market Report 2025

This Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The nuclear power reactor decommissioning market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.18 billion in 2024 to $8.07 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to aging infrastructure, regulatory landscape, public perception.

The nuclear power reactor decommissioning market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.8 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to global energy transition, economic factors, government policies, safety and security concerns. Major trends in the forecast period include technological innovation, rise of robotics and automation, collaboration and partnerships, focus on waste management.

The increasing awareness of environmental issues is anticipated to drive the growth of the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market in the future. Environmental sensitivity refers to the rising consciousness surrounding environmental concerns. Nuclear power plants (NPPs) generate carbon-free electricity due to their exceptional reliability, significant clean-air compliance advantages, and substantial power generation capacity. Decommissioning involves the removal of nuclear fuel from a nuclear power plant and supports the termination of operating licenses. For example, in March 2024, a report published by the American Lung Association, a U.S.-based professional non-governmental organization, indicated that in 2022, the number of people living in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particulate pollution increased by 11.7 million compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 131.2 million individuals, or nearly 40% of the U.S. population. Thus, the growing sensitivity toward environmental issues is fueling the expansion of the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market.

The growing adoption of renewable energy sources is expected to drive the growth of the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market. Renewable energy sources are natural resources that can be replenished or regenerated over time, making them a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to produce energy. These sources can play a vital role in supporting the decommissioning of nuclear power reactors by providing clean electricity to power essential equipment, thus enhancing safety and minimizing the environmental impact of the decommissioning process. For instance, according to a report from a U.S. government survey, renewable energy accounts for over 20% of all electricity generated in the U.S., and this share is steadily on the rise. In 2022, renewable energy generation in the U.S. surpassed coal generation for the first time. By 2025, domestic solar energy generation is projected to increase by 75%, while wind energy is expected to grow by 11%. Therefore, the increased adoption of renewable sources is propelling the growth of the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market.

Major companies in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market are increasingly focusing on the introduction of new nuclear facilities to gain a competitive advantage. Nuclear facilities refer to modern infrastructures and installations designed for the generation of nuclear energy. For example, in April 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an Austria-based intergovernmental organization, reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently launched its first nuclear power plant, the Barakah nuclear power plant, which is anticipated to supply up to 25% of the country's electricity when fully operational in the coming years. This plant is the first in both the UAE and the Arab world and is part of the country’s initiatives to diversify its energy mix and lower carbon emissions. The Barakah nuclear power plant features four reactors with a total capacity of 5,600 MW, which is roughly equivalent to 25% of the UAE's peak demand.

Innovations and technological advancements are key drivers for major companies in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market. The International Atomic Energy Agency's global initiative in September 2022 aims to advance technological breakthroughs in nuclear decommissioning, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digitalization. These technologies enhance the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of dismantling retired nuclear facilities.

In April 2022, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC bolstered its global capabilities by acquiring BHI Energy, a US-based company specializing in nuclear plant maintenance and modification services. This acquisition positions Westinghouse Electric Company LLC to strengthen its presence in the nuclear industry, reflecting the market's focus on expansion and strategic partnerships.

Major companies operating in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market include Babcock International Group PLC, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy LLC, Fluor Corporation, Westinghouse Electric Company, AECOM Technology Corporation, NorthStar Group Services Inc., Studsvik AB, Bechtel Group Inc., James Fisher and Sons PLC, Orano Group, WS Atkins PLC, Enercon Services Inc., SNC Lavalin Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Incorporated, Nuvia Group Ltd., Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., NAC International Inc., Nukem Technologies GmbH, Holtec International Inc., EnergySolutions LLC, Deep Isolation Inc., Waste Control Specialists LLC, Empresa Nacional de Residuos Radiactivos S. A., Ansaldo Nucleare S. p. A, Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, Sellafield Ltd., GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH, Sogin S. p. A.

Europe was the largest region in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Nuclear power reactor decommissioning involves the retirement of nuclear power reactors, including the termination of regulatory operating licenses. This process includes dismantling the plant and restoring the site to an agreed end-state, preparing it for some form of re-use.

The primary types of nuclear power reactor decommissioning include pressurized water reactors, pressurized heavy water reactors, boiling water reactors, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, liquid metal fast breeder reactors, and others. Pressurized nuclear power reactor decommissioning pertains to a type of nuclear reactor that generates energy while also propelling nuclear submarines and naval vessels. Capacities vary, with categories including below 100 MW, 100-1000 MW, and above 1000 MW, and applications encompass commercial power reactors, prototype power reactors, and research reactors.

The nuclear power reactor decommissioning market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides nuclear power reactor decommissioning market statistics, including nuclear power reactor decommissioning industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a nuclear power reactor decommissioning market share, detailed nuclear power reactor decommissioning market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the nuclear power reactor decommissioning industry. This nuclear power reactor decommissioning market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The nuclear power reactor decommissioning market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as SAFSTOR (Safe storage), DECON (Decontamination), and ENTOM. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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