How EPC firms can enter the nuclear renaissance

The so called “nuclear renaissance” is creating a millionaire market for new nuclear reactors. Few firms have the capabilities to work in this complex and highly demanding market, whereas many other are investigating the option to enter. Quite surprising the international scientific literature provides information regarding the high-level governmental aspects of nuclear power programs in different countries while the analysis at firm level is almost inexistent. Moreover the usual business models for the manufacturing industry are not suitable since the nuclear market is very peculiar. In particular is unclear how an EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) company can enter in it. This paper deals with this question investigating how an EPC firms or general contractor can enter in the nuclear market. The case study methodology has been widely used to understand the time, cost, enabling factors and barriers to enter in the nuclear business in the most important roles: Architect/ Engineering, NSSS supplier, TG supplier, Construction. The results show that there are strong similarities among companies acting as main contractor in the same field; therefore it is possible to generalize a large set of meaningful lessons learned.