Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning Industry Set for Surge as Half of World’s Reactors to Shut by 2030

Friday 27 July 2012, Amsterdam

Approximately half of the world’s nuclear reactors are expected to be closed by 2030, creating a substantial market for the commercial nuclear reactor decommissioning industry in the years to come, states the new Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning Industry - Global Market Size and Competitive Landscape Analysis to 2030 report.

According to the report, more than 200 nuclear reactors - accounting for about half of the world’s nuclear facilities - will be decommissioned, assuming no life extensions are granted.

The plans mean a significant boost for the global nuclear decommissioning industry, with Europe accounting for the bulk of the closures.

More than 150 reactors across the European region are set to shutdown by 2030 as a result of either reaching the end of their life spans or due to prior shutdown plans.

The continent accounts for nearly 74% of the global total and represents $81,484m of the commercial decommissioning market.

As of January 2012, France, the UK and Russia have the highest decommissioning market value, standing at $21,494m, $18,717m, and $13,446m, respectively.

The Asia-Pacific region has the second largest decommissioning market with a value of $20,317m, whereas North America has the smallest decommissioning market, rated at $8,175m.

Indeed, North America is expected to shutdown fewer nuclear reactors than other continents, with the US closing five and Canada set to decommission 17. Contrary to the global trend, the US has granted life extensions to 71 of its nuclear reactors and more extensions are expected in the future.

The report states that while there is significant profit to be found in the in the swelling nuclear reactor decommissioning market, the high standards required to enter can be prohibitive. Regulatory standards and compliances are strict, so balancing a cost-effective strategy with the necessary safety measures may prove a key challenge.

This report covers the global decommissioning market, including strategies, cost drivers and key challenges, and gives a detailed analysis of the global decommissioning market from 2012 to 2030. It also provides information about past decommissioning experiences and the key players in the decommissioning industry. The recent developments in the decommissioning market and age analysis of currently operational reactors are also covered in the report.