Why EPC Firms Are Key to Nuclear Growth

Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms are expected to play a significant role in the nuclear renaissance. Accordingly, this would present a compelling opportunity for investors. 

Recent M&A activity highlights a strategic race to lock in specialized technical capacity, signaling that capital is shifting toward the picks and shovels infrastructure necessary to move projects from the drawing board to the grid.

Key Takeaways:

• The recent surge in M&A activity suggests that the industry is preparing for a multi-decade construction cycle.
• Acquisitions like Natura Resources’ purchase of Shepherd Power highlight a trend toward integrating manufacturing prowess with reactor deployment to meet 2030 targets.
• Consolidation in decommissioning and waste management, exemplified by the EnergySolutions deal, ensures that the service sector captures value at both the inception and conclusion of a plant’s life.

M&A Momentum: Securing the Nuclear EPC Value Chain

In recent months, three significant acquisitions have highlighted the premium being placed on specialized nuclear infrastructure and project development capabilities.

• Natura Resources / Shepherd Power: Natura Resources acquired Shepherd Power from NOV (formerly National Oilwell Varco), a deal that includes a strategic partnership to leverage NOV’s manufacturing prowess. This move aims at deploying gigawatts of small modular reactors (SMRs) by the early 2030s.
• Studsvik / Kärnfull Next (KNXT): Studsvik’s acquisition of KNXT marks its entry into nuclear project development. By integrating KNXT’s agnostic SMR delivery platform, Studsvik is positioning itself to lead the commercial execution of new build projects.
• Energy Capital Partners (ECP) / EnergySolutions: In a definitive move back into the space, ECP is re-acquiring EnergySolutions. The acquisition focuses on the critical back-end of the lifecycle – decommissioning and waste management. This is essential as the industry manages both legacy assets and new deployments.

How This Affects NUKZ

This trend is particularly relevant for investors in the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ). As of April 16, companies focused on construction and services represented 34.7% of the fund’s underlying index, the VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index (NUKZX).

The index includes EPC firms such as Amentum (AMTM), Ameresco (AMRC), Fluor (FLR), and Jacobs (J). These firms are not just contractors; they are the architects of the transition, managing the complex regulatory and logistical hurdles inherent in nuclear construction. Importantly, the EPC segment provides the industrial backbone necessary for these projects to reach the grid.

For advisors, NUKZ offers a targeted approach to the full nuclear ecosystem, which includes advanced reactors, utilities, fuel providers, as well as the services sector. Furthermore, by diversifying across the value chain, the fund captures the growth of the EPC firms that will ultimately realize the sector’s projected expansion.

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vettafi.com is owned by VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”). VettaFi is the index provider for NUKZ, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, NUKZ is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi. VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of NUKZ.

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