S'abonner

Westinghouse delivers 8% enriched fuel for Vogtle-2

Westinghouse produced its first batch of 8% enriched fuel in the UK for Vogtle-2, marking a step forward in the use of high-enriched fuels.

Share:

Westinghouse Electric Company has completed production of the first batch of 8% enriched uranium fuel for the Vogtle-2 nuclear power plant operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Company in Georgia, USA.
The fuel was manufactured at the Springfields plant in northern England.
This development is part of a trend towards increased enrichment of nuclear fuel, aimed at meeting the specific needs of modern reactors.
The fuel, known as LEU+ Adopt, is made from uranium oxide enriched beyond the levels usually used, which typically range from 3% to 5% for commercial reactors.
The project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) program, which aims to develop fuels with greater resistance to accident conditions.

Operational benefits of high enrichment

The use of 8% enriched fuel could make it possible to extend the duration of operating cycles between refuelling shutdowns, which could help reduce operating costs for nuclear power plant operators.
In addition, the specific additives incorporated in this new fuel are designed to improve safety performance when operating at higher power levels.
According to Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, the production of LEU+ Adopt represents a technical breakthrough in the nuclear industry.
This fuel will be processed into pins and integrated into four test assemblies in the UK, before being shipped to the USA for irradiation tests at the Vogtle-2 power plant, scheduled for 2025.

Regulatory outlook and broader adoption

The move to higher enrichment levels, such as 8% U-235, is gaining momentum in the nuclear industry, where optimizing fuel cycles has become a priority for some operators.
In the USA, several reactors have begun testing assemblies with enrichment above 5%, but this transition still requires specific waivers from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The DOE’s ATF program focuses on the development of fuels capable of withstanding a loss of core cooling for longer, giving operators more time to react in the event of an emergency.
A regulatory revision is scheduled for March 2027 to facilitate the adoption of these enriched fuels, by aligning licenses with new technological advances.

  • Populaires ​
MN8 Energy raises $575mn with Natixis CIB to strengthen its US solar debt
Carbon2Nature and Uría Menéndez launch reforestation of 90 hectares in Salamanca
TNB, Petronas and Terengganu Inc launch green hydrogen hub and hybrid solar in Malaysia
Occidental Petroleum reduces production in the Gulf of Mexico in the second quarter
Azule Energy announces major offshore gas discovery in the Angolan Congo Basin
Bahrain signs civil nuclear agreement with the United States and announces $17bn in public investments
Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power completes installation of third prototype vessel in Oak Ridge
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
UK and Czech Republic sign agreement to accelerate civil nuclear development
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Nuclear Waste in France: Experts Call for Strengthened Safety Measures
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan seals deal with Hungary for nuclear cooling technology
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Warsaw seeks EU green light for $49bn nuclear project
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
China urged to strengthen its nuclear regulator to keep pace with growth
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Ukraine: Energoatom signs major agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Iran Relaunches Nuclear Dialogue to Negotiate with the United States, Russia Supports a No-Enrichment Deal
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower awards three major contracts for its Natrium reactor in the United States
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
EnergyX acquires 35,000 acres of US lithium from Pantera Lithium
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
Canada: CCSN approves the ARC-100 reactor design review
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
Lithuanian nuclear operator SE Ignalina signs agreement with Newcleo
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egypt: Supplementary agreements signed for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra obtains approval to extend Perry nuclear plant operations
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF injects €1.3 billion into Sizewell C, its second British EPR
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
France: Cigéo nuclear waste underground storage project makes significant progress
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF launches its nuclear Technocentre in Fessenheim, estimated investment of €450 million
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear signs strategic agreement with UrAmerica on Argentine uranium
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
SHINE and Standard Nuclear form strategic partnership on recycled fuel
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING