Uranium: Soaring Prices, New Nuclear Era

Faced with limited supply and growing demand, the price of uranium reached its highest level in 17 years, signalling a global revival in nuclear power.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

The uranium market is experiencing a period of intense activity, with prices reaching their highest levels for almost two decades. The rise in uranium prices, with the benchmark U3O8 contract reaching $85.75 per pound, is a remarkable phenomenon that reflects several global dynamics. This increase is mainly due to renewed interest in nuclear power as part of the energy transition, as well as growing concerns about the security of oil and gas supplies, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

International Response and Nuclear Renewal

The international response to this new uranium market dynamic is varied. Several European countries, including France, Belgium, the UK and Romania, have opted to extend the operation of their existing nuclear power plants. In the United States, the decision to extend the life of the Diablo Canyon reactors in California is another indicator of this trend. At the same time, the boom in new nuclear projects in China, India, Turkey and Egypt testifies to a renewed worldwide interest in this form of energy.

Supply constraints and future implications

Global uranium supply, however, is struggling to meet this growing demand. Kazakhstan, which dominates world production, faces significant logistical challenges, and political tensions in Niger and recent policy decisions, such as theUS embargo on Russian uranium, add to market uncertainty. The involvement of major financial players, such as Canada’s Sprott Group, in the accumulation of uranium reserves also has a significant impact on prices. These developments suggest that, although mining is adapting, the uranium market will remain tight in the short term.
This situation on the uranium market, characterized by high prices and rising demand, underlines the growing importance of nuclear power in the global energy mix. As countries seek alternatives to fossil fuels, uranium is becoming a key player in the energy transition. However, supply-side challenges and the associated geopolitical implications require sustained attention. The evolution of the uranium market will therefore be a crucial barometer for assessing the future of nuclear power in the years to come.

Arkansas has appointed Excel Services to analyse the economic, technological and logistical outlook of a new nuclear programme, with results expected within ten months.
Operator Belgoprocess has received authorisation to build a new facility to store waste generated from the ongoing decommissioning of Belgium’s nuclear reactors.
The British government has launched a consultation on the regulatory justification request for Rolls-Royce’s modular reactor, a decisive step towards its approval in the country’s nuclear market.
GVH and Samsung C&T join forces to accelerate international deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors, with a strong focus on Sweden and the consolidation of the nuclear supply chain.
The Swedish government aims to establish a right to compensation for operators if a political reversal leads to the early shutdown of nuclear plants, in a move to reduce investment risks.
Duke Energy adds a large nuclear reactor project to its 2025 plan for the Carolinas, anticipating electricity demand more than twice previous forecasts.
EDF has selected Arabelle Solutions to supply two complete turbine islands for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, strengthening their industrial cooperation initiated at Hinkley Point C.
The Italian government has approved a bill granting the executive authority to regulate the return of nuclear energy, in line with European carbon neutrality and energy security targets for 2050.
Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have commissioned a specialised industrial line in Jeumont for the manufacturing of nuclear components used in French Navy vessels.
Italian company Terra Innovatum is advancing the commercialisation of its SOLO micro-reactor, with two new partnerships and $42.5mn in funding as part of a merger with a listed company.
The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.
The containment structure over Chernobyl’s destroyed reactor lost power after a Russian strike, as Zaporizhzhia remains cut off from external electricity for over a week.
Uranium deliveries to U.S. civilian operators rose 8% in 2024, while the average price climbed to its highest level since 2012, according to the latest available data.
The Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council believes more countries will develop nuclear weapons and generative AI technologies as a result of increasing public sector efforts.
An international tribunal ruled in favour of French company Orano against the State of Niger, which had blocked the sale of uranium extracted from the Arlit mine since taking control of the site in 2023.
US-based Oklo and Sweden’s Blykalla join forces to coordinate supply chains and regulatory data sharing to accelerate the commercial deployment of their metal-cooled small modular reactors.
EDF plans a massive €25bn ($26.5bn) investment to modernise its nuclear fleet, focusing on reactor lifetime extension and preparing for new nuclear projects in France.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission set the full nuclear cost at €60.3/MWh by 2026, outlining the taxation thresholds applicable under the market reform scheduled for 2026.
The Ministry of Energy will initiate talks with developers of small nuclear reactors after signing a cooperation agreement with the United States to conduct preliminary studies on their deployment.
The restart of the Flamanville EPR reactor, initially scheduled for 1 October, has been delayed by more than two weeks due to a maintenance operation on the primary circuit.