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ARTICLE · 09 OCTOBER 2026

Can Investment Keep Pace With Global Nuclear Ambitions?

Gowling WLG
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The nuclear sector requires approximately $6 trillion in investment by 2050 to triple global capacity, yet capital deployment remains constrained despite technological advances and political support. This analysis examines why investor confidence hinges not on reactor innovation alone, but on regulatory certainty, risk allocation frameworks, and integrated project delivery models that can convert ambitious nuclear programmes into bankable infrastructure.

GlobalEnergy and Natural Resources
Paul Green
Paul Green
Robert Armour
Robert Armour
Dominic Richardson
Dominic Richardson
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The nuclear sector is facing almost unprecedented ambitions for growth: to achieve the goal of tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050 (as per the COP28 declaration), the World Nuclear Association estimates the sector will need around $6 trillion of investment; approximately $250 billion annually (compared to current global annual spend of around $80). This would be a sum comparable to current annual investment in wind and solar combined. Yet discussions about the future of nuclear energy are often framed as questions of technology: whether small modular reactors (SMRs) can accelerate deployment, whether advanced reactors will improve efficiency and flexibility, and whether supply chains can meet growing demand.

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