Nuclear power plants rank among the largest export transactions in world commerce. For most of the second part of the 20th century, the scientific and engineering frontiers expanded as the nuclear programs sprung around the world. Achieving the successful connection of a nuclear reactor to the grid requires the contribution of thousands of contractors across a variety of industrial sectors, the financial support of public and private capital and, the commitment of the authorities to fulfil and enforce international atomic regulations.
However, the economic history of nuclear power remains on its infancy. In this session authors offer an international historical perspective on the development of nuclear energy from its origins in to the present with particular emphasis on the economic, financial and business origins of nuclear programs all over the world.
The panel focuses on how the nuclear programs came about, over the creation of the industrial and financial frameworks required, on the business history of the companies involved with nuclear programs or the development of individual nuclear projects. During the session we expect to find transnational linkages to emerge from the national cases given the crucial role that technological transfers and international finance played for the development of nuclear energy.

Format:
This panel will follow a standard format, with six to eight papers and one or two discussants. Paper presenters will be expected to act as discussants. The papers will be pre-circulated. Each panelist will have between 15-20 minutes for presentation followed by discussion and Q&A.