Anatomy of a unicorn
How systemic program management delivered a nuclear power plant on time and on budget
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13065182 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alexander Budzier (0000-0002-2132-0412, University of Oxford, corresponding author), Harvey Maylor (0000-0002-8629-1026, University of Oxford) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 130 |
| Pages | 104425-104425 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Energy Research & Social Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2214-6296 • E-ISSN: 2214-6326 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.erss.2025.104425 |
| OpenAlex | W7102393396 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 38 |
Nuclear energy remains a contested element of global decarbonization. Despite its potential to provide reliable, large-scale, low-carbon electricity, the sector is weakened by chronic cost overruns and delays. This study examines the refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Generation Station in Ontario, Canada—one of the few large nuclear projects worldwide to remain on budget and ahead of schedule. Using a mixed-methods case study drawing on more than 400 documents and interviews with senior program leaders, we explore how this success was achieved in an industry synonymous with failure. We find that Darlington's performance did not result from new technologies or unknown success factors but from the systemic orchestration of established practices into a coherent and adaptive program management system that evolved through three episodes of change. The case challenges assumptions that nuclear projects are structurally destined for overruns and advances understanding of program delivery. It shows how system ownership, integration, and adaptive learning can drive success in high-risk, politically sensitive infrastructure programs. More broadly, the findings demonstrate how deliberate orchestration and leadership can redefine the role of nuclear power within the future low-carbon energy mix
Element (criminal law · Energy (signal processing · Nuclear industry · Nuclear plant · Nuclear power · Nuclear power plant · Orchestration · Research program · Policy Transfer and Learning · Risk Perception and Management · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |