Nuclear Decommissioning Market growing at 13.80% CAGR 2025-2030 Forecast, AECOM, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Babcock International Group PLC

 The global nuclear decommissioning market is forecast to reach USD 9.50 billion by 2030, up from USD 7.39 billion in 2025, driven by aging reactor fleets, stricter safety standards, and evolving energy transition policies. As more reactors near end-of-life, the nuclear decommissioning market is gaining strategic significance, with operators prioritizing cost-efficient shutdown planning, dismantling processes, and radioactive waste management to ensure safe and compliant plant closures.

Emerging Trends in Nuclear Decommissioning Industry

Aging Reactor Fleet and End-of-Life Pressures 

A significant number of nuclear reactors worldwide are nearing their end of operational life, creating strong demand for decommissioning. Many of these plants were built decades ago and face increasing costs to maintain or upgrade them to modern safety standards. This has resulted in operators opting more frequently for early retirement rather than extending older reactors’ service, especially in Western markets.

Tighter Regulation and Policy-Driven Decommissioning 

Policy frameworks across several regions are strongly influencing decommissioning decisions. In Europe, for example, national phase-out plans and post-Fukushima safety rules are pushing governments and utilities to retire older reactors. Public sentiment, regulatory demands, and long-term liability cost make decommissioning not just a technical decision but a political and economic one.

Rising Importance of Waste Management 

Beyond dismantling the physical structure, waste management and material handling are becoming increasingly prominent in decommissioning work. The market is shifting toward more sophisticated waste volume-reduction, conditioning, and recycling approaches. This reflects not only regulatory pressure to minimize environmental impact, but also the value of recyclable nuclear-grade materials, which can be recovered and reused. 

Adoption of Advanced Technologies 

To improve safety and efficiency, companies in the decommissioning space are increasingly using robotics, remote handling tools, and artificial intelligence. These technologies help reduce radiation exposure for workers, speed up dismantling tasks, and lower overall project timelines.

Read the full report and access market snapshots that include both global views and Japan-specific analysis - https://www.mordorintelligence.com/ja/industry-reports/nuclear-decommissioning-market?utm_source=industrytoday  

Nuclear Decommissioning Market Segments 

By Reactor Types:

• Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) 
• Gas-Cooled Reactor (GCR) 
• Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) 
• Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) 
• Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) 
• Other reactor types  

By Applications:

• Commercial Power Reactors — dominate decommissioning demand. 
• Prototype Power Reactors — specialized units with unique shutdown challenges. 
• Research Reactors — often smaller, but require careful handling given their location and legacy. 

By Capacity: 

• Below 100 MW — includes small experimental or research reactors. 
• 100-1000 MW — standard commercial reactors make up a large chunk of the market.  
• Above 1000 MW — large-capacity plants that require significant resources to dismantle.  

By Geography: 

• Europe 
• North America  
• Asia-Pacific 
• a and Middle East & Africa  

Top Key Players

• AECOM 
• GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy 
• Babcock International Group PLC 
• Fluor Corporation 
• Bechtel Group, Inc.  

Conclusion 

Aging reactor fleets, stricter regulations, and shifting national energy policies are driving this momentum. As owners decide to retire and decommission more plants, demand for dismantling services, advanced waste management, and long-term site restoration will only increase. 

Our Trending Report: 

Offshore Decommissioning Service Market

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