Delegates representing government and industry together with the Young Professionals Delegation at Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026
Ministers, senior government officials, industry CEOs, representatives from financial institutions, technology companies and young professionals from around the world convened for Roadmaps to New Nuclear on 17-18 September 2026 in Paris, France. Co-hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the United States, the conference provided a high-level forum for governments and industry to discuss the practical steps required to accelerate nuclear deployment, strengthen energy security and support economic growth.
In his opening address to the 350 participants, NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV highlighted the changing role of nuclear energy in global energy policy. “Today, more than any other time in my career, energy security is a driving principle of energy policy for most countries represented today,” said Director-General Magwood. “In parallel, we see that after decades of very flat growth, electricity demand is rising rapidly. Access to reliable, secure, cost-effective electricity, even more than in the past, is a key determinant of economic and societal success and progress both in OECD countries and the Global South.”
Conference Co-Chairs William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General, and James Danly, Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States, open the conference
Conference Co-Chair, US Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly emphasised the scale of the nuclear expansion underway in the United States. “We are driving forward as quickly as we can and we want to do as much as we can to share all of the nuclear technologies we have with the rest of the world,” said Deputy Secretary Danly. “This will require a lot of co-ordination and co-operation with other countries.”
A special address by Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine, focused on the importance of reliable and resilient energy systems, and the contribution that nuclear energy can make to long-term energy security. He also announced Ukraine’s decision to apply for NEA membership.
Opening session remarks on energy security from Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine
Financing, fuel supply and workforce development among the conference themes
Across two days of discussions, conference participants focused on the conditions needed to accelerate nuclear deployment at scale. Key themes included financing, fuel supply security, workforce development, construction risks, and the policy and regulatory frameworks required to deliver new projects. Participants also examined the growing relationship between nuclear energy and artificial intelligence (AI), exploring how rising electricity demand from digital infrastructure is increasing interest in nuclear power and the potential role of AI in improving reactor design, licensing, construction and operations.
Adapting regulation for a new era of nuclear deployment
A fireside chat between William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General, and Ho K. Nieh, Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), focused on modernising regulatory approaches. The discussion examined opportunities to streamline licensing processes, support advanced reactor technologies and deepen international co-operation among regulators, recognising the importance of efficient and predictable regulatory frameworks for enabling timely deployment of new nuclear projects. They identified multinational co-operation in licensing of new designs as an essential strategy to speed future deployments.
Fireside chat with William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General, and Ho K. Nieh, NRC Chairman
Advancing small modular reactors
During the Accelerating SMRs Summit, government and industry representatives reviewed progress across the global SMR landscape and discussed the financing, supply chain and regulatory challenges associated with deployment. Four dedicated breakout sessions explored the role of SMRs in power generation, non-power applications, maritime applications and the interplay with recycling, highlighting the growing range of applications for advanced nuclear technologies and their potential contribution to future energy systems.
Paul Dabbar, Deputy Secretary of Commerce of the United States, opens the second day of Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026
Announcements made during Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026:
- The NEA announced the publication of The Costs of Generating Electricity 2025, a joint report with EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) that provides plant-level cost data for 21 technologies across 23 countries. The report highlights the importance of assessing technologies based on the value they provide to the electricity system, including the contribution of nuclear energy and other sources of reliable, around-the-clock electricity.
- The NEA also announced plans to collaborate with the US Department of Energy on a new analysis of the electricity and energy system in the United States. The initiative aims to provide policymakers with a stronger evidence base for assessing the performance of different technology pathways under varying system conditions.
- Industry associations issued a joint declaration calling for measures to accelerate nuclear deployment, including stable policy frameworks, improved access to finance, stronger supply chains, enhanced international regulatory co-operation and investment in workforce development and innovation.
- Canada and the United Kingdom were announced as co-hosts of Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2027 alongside the NEA. Building on the momentum of previous four editions, next year's conference will continue to focus on practical solutions to advance nuclear deployment, including financing, supply chains, workforce development and project delivery.
Watch: Opening session of Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026
Watch: Press conference at Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026
Photos: Giuseppe Graci
