COORDINATING NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE | COMMENTARY Beyond the build


Nuclear new-build projects are complex infrastructure developments that can be dogged by cost and schedule overruns. They must also seamlessly


integrate with the wider energy network. Systems-based approaches, supported by digital modelling and simulation, can serve to support such projects.


By Mark Coates, Infrastructure Policy Advancement, Bentley Systems


REVIVING NUCLEAR POWER IS CENTRAL to the plans for improved energy security and long-term net zero goals. But history shows that major, critical infrastructure programmes rarely run to plan and are often plagued with cost and schedule overruns that can impact public trust and delay the benefits of investment. As early-stage work begins on nuclear projects, stakeholders face the challenge of managing unprecedented complexity from the outset. Effectively managing this to avoid the delays and overruns of the past will determine if the project is a success or becomes an example of infrastructure delivery gone wrong. So how can developers best ensure nuclear investments pay off?


An interconnected challenge Large-scale reactors, such as Sizewell C, take at least a decade to build. With significant taxpayer investment already committed and no blank cheque available to bail out overruns, such projects have very little margin for error or delay. The industry cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past, where major infrastructure projects were scaled back, suffered ballooning costs, or worst of all, were abandoned. Crucially, critical projects of this size must not be viewed in isolation. Building new reactors is only half the job, and it’s just as important to make sure each new nuclear facility integrates with the grid and wider energy system, which is itself undergoing transformation. Substations, transmission lines, distribution networks and data centres all need to be aligned to ensure power flows where and when it is needed. National and regional transmission system operators are


already working out ways delivering these crucial network upgrades. The challenge lies in the scale of the coordination required. Demand for power is rising rapidly from electrified transport and power-hungry AI data centres. At the same time, nuclear sites compete for resources with other major programmes across housing, transport and wider infrastructure. Aligning all of this requires a true system- wide perspective.


Protecting investment, avoiding waste When projects of this scale falter, the costs are measured not just in billions of dollars, but also in lost productivity, reduced energy resilience, and delayed decarbonisation. No nation can afford for nuclear to become a stranded investment, from either completed reactors without the capacity to distribute power, or years of delays that undermine their contribution to net zero efforts. Protecting investment therefore means more than securing


finance. It demands approaches that make risks visible early, avoid duplication, and ensure that every pound spent contributes to an integrated outcome.


This is difficult given the complexity of nuclear projects.


There are thousands of interfaces associated with these projects, including civil and structural works, mechanical and electrical systems, multiple contractors, regulators, and government agencies. Each interface must work in concert to ensure a project is managed effectively. Systems-based approaches, supported by digital modelling and simulation, often support such complex projects by providing a shared, dynamic view of how everything fits together. It’s imperative that stakeholders have access to tools that power effective coordination and help to identify problems before they escalate. On builds of this scale, the ability to visually explore options to optimise outcomes and streamline delivery before committing can be seen as best practice. The advantages extend beyond just technical benefits. This approach helps prevent costly revisions, improves collaboration across disciplines, and ensures that important areas of the build keep pace with one another. In short, it helps avoid delays and cost escalations that could undermine public confidence.


Building confidence for the future For many nations a nuclear new-build programme is a once- in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen energy security, accelerate decarbonisation, and build industrial capability. Success will depend not only on the engineering excellence of new reactors, but on how well they are planned as part of a broader, connected infrastructure system. This is not about questioning the expertise of the


organisations already tasked with delivery. It is about acknowledging the unprecedented scale of the challenge and ensuring that the right tools and approaches are in place to manage it. By embracing digital and systems-based methods from the outset, nations can protect investment, reduce the risk of overruns, and ensure that nuclear capacity translates into clean, reliable power for decades to come. ■


www.neimagazine.com | February 2026 | 47


Above: Large-scale reactors, such as Sizewell C, take at least a decade to build and must integrate seamlessly with winder infrastructure


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