NE Colloquium: Nicole Holmes

We’re Building SM

Rs Now: Lessons from 25 Years in the Nuclear Trenches

Abstract

For years, we’ve talked about new nuclear as the energy technology of the future. The time is here; that future is happening now. But having a great reactor design on a whiteboard isn’t the finish line anymore—it’s barely the starting line. In this talk, I’ll draw on my 25+ years in the nuclear trenches to look at where we actually stand today. We’ve crossed the bridge from design to deployment. Projects like the BWRX-300 at Darlington—the first SMR under construction in the Western world—prove that advanced nuclear has officially moved to execution.

We will dig into what it really takes to move from PowerPoint to power plants. I'll share some unvarnished insights on:

The Execution Reality: Why licensing, manufacturing capacity, supply chains, and construction sequencing are now the true differentiators for which technologies make it to scale.

Beyond FOAK: How we avoid getting stuck at "first-of-a-kind" (FOAK) and turn an initial project into a repeatable fleet.

Nuclear as a Team Sport: Why utilities, regulators, government, bankers, suppliers, and constructors have work together to make this happen.

Whether you're an undergrad figuring out your career path or a grad student deep into research, this session will give you a practical look at the challenges and opportunities in the field right now. The winners in this industry won't just be the best designs—they'll be the ones that can be built and built again.

Biography

Chief Commercial Officer Nicole Holmes leads the global sales, marketing, and contracts team, along with licensing and regulatory affairs, for GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH). In this role, she heads the team responsible for customer relationships, deal creation, and customer-focused processes, including developing and implementing the business’ commercial strategy. Holmes is committed to GVH’s mission to provide carbon-free power to the world by innovating and advancing new nuclear while keeping the existing fleet safe and competitive

Prior to taking her current role in summer 2020, she led strategic accounts for GE Power for large investor-owned utilities in the southeastern United States. Holmes was responsible for building executive relationships and creating new opportunities within the GE portfolio for key accounts. Through close customer partnerships, she drove growth and innovation across energy technologies including gas, steam, nuclear, and renewables.

Holmes' GE career began in the nuclear business, where she held multiple leadership roles at GE Hitachi, including Chief Operating Officer of Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), SVP of Supply Chain, and Quality Leader. Her more than 25-year energy industry career began in reactor engineering at Duke Energy. She held positions in power plant engineering and business operations with Duke Energy before joining GE.

Holmes earned a BS in nuclear engineering with highest honors from North C