Since new reactors can take a decade to complete, the revival of interest in nuclear power in the past five years has yet to yield significant results. But executives from scores of companies are circling the globe to lobby governments and compete for contracts, determined to ensure that, when the nuclear surge takes off, they will be at the forefront.

Two reactors are under construction in Europe – the Flamanville 3 plant in France and the Olkiluoto 3 plant in Finland – and Bulgaria is planning to add a new reactor at Belene.