Navigating the British nuclear landscape as a foreign company presents unique challenges—even for those already active in the sector. In the post-Brexit context, cross-Channel market positioning requires a nuanced and strategic approach. Understanding the evolving dynamics of the UK nuclear industry is essential for making informed decisions and securing a sustainable foothold.

Damona leveraged its deep expertise and long-standing engagement with the British nuclear sector for this project to provide critical market intelligence and strategic guidance.

Historically, the UK’s nuclear landscape has been heavily shaped by its decommissioning sector. Public investment in new nuclear build significantly declined since the late 1980s, particularly during and after the Thatcher government’s shift toward a market-driven energy policy. The privatisation of the electricity sector, combined with growing public concern after the Chernobyl disaster, discouraged further nuclear expansion. As a result, government funding focused largely on managing and dismantling existing infrastructure, and the domestic supply chain suffered from decades of underinvestment and underutilisation in advanced nuclear development.

However, the landscape is shifting. With the launch of the Great British Nuclear initiative, the UK is reaffirming its commitment to new build and fusion as national priorities. This policy turn is reviving interest in nuclear innovation.

For this project, Damona conducted a comprehensive market analysis and sizing exercise, tailored to the needs of a foreign client. The study included :

• A site-by-site assessment of the UK’s nuclear ecosystem
• Analysis of capabilities and competencies across the domestic supply chain
• Mapping of funding allocations, project timelines, and tender opportunities
• Identification of potential competitors and emerging market entrants
• Beyond mapping opportunities, Damona provided strategic, client-specific advice, aligning opportunities to the client’s technical capabilities and business goals. This included:
• Recommendations on local partnerships to strengthen tender bids
• Alerts on likely competitive pressure and areas of market saturation

Date: 1st of January 2025