The Department of Energy has awarded $2.7 billion in uranium enrichment task orders to three companies to expand domestic production capacity and reduce reliance on foreign fuel sources.
The investment is intended to expand the nation’s low-enriched uranium, or LEU, capacity and establish new high-assay low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, supply chains, the agency said Monday.
“Today’s awards show that this Administration is committed to restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain capable of producing the nuclear fuels needed to power the reactors of today and the advanced reactors of tomorrow,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated.
Which Companies Received DOE Enrichment Awards?
American Centrifuge Operating, General Matter and Orano Federal Services each received $900 million task orders from DOE. American Centrifuge and General Matter will establish domestic HALEU enrichment capacity, which is critical for advanced reactor designs that require higher uranium enrichment levels than those used in today’s commercial reactors.
Meanwhile, Orano Federal Services will expand domestic LEU enrichment capacity, which will contribute toward the continued operations of the 94 commercial reactors across the nation.
DOE said the task orders are being distributed under a milestone-based framework to ensure accountability as the companies develop new enrichment capabilities.
The agency also awarded $28 million to Global Laser Enrichment to continue advancing next-generation uranium enrichment technology.
How Is DOE Supporting Energy Innovation?
Aside from investing in building uranium enrichment capacity, DOE is also supporting the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors through its HALEU Availability Program, which aims to ensure access to HALEU for research, development, demonstration and commercial use.
TRISO-X, Kairos Power, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse Electric and TerraPower are the first companies to secure HALEU allocations under the program.
