Centrus Energy Signs Definitive HALEU Supply Contract for Radiant’s Kaleidos Microreactors

Securing Fuel for Next-Generation Microreactors

In a significant move to secure fuel for advanced nuclear deployments, Centrus Energy and Radiant have signed a definitive multi-year contract for the supply of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU). Announced on September 9, 2026, the agreement ensures that Centrus will provide the specialized fuel required for multiple units of Radiant’s Kaleidos microreactor. Deliveries under this contract are scheduled to commence before the end of the current decade, aligning with Radiant's aggressive deployment timeline.

The Radiant Kaleidos Microreactor Design

Radiant’s Kaleidos is an innovative, transportable high-temperature gas-cooled microreactor. Designed to be housed within a single standard shipping container, the compact unit produces 3 MWth and 1 MWe of power. The reactor's core relies on TRISO fuel—comprising coated uranium particles—along with helium gas coolant and prismatic graphite blocks. To achieve its remarkably compact core size and facilitate long operating cycles without refueling, the Kaleidos design strictly requires HALEU.

Radiant's Kaleidos microreactor requires HALEU and TRISO fuel to achieve its compact, transportable design and enable long operating cycles within a single shipping container footprint.

Financial Structure and Capacity Support

While the total fuel volume, overall contract value, and the guaranteed number of reactors were not publicly disclosed, the financial structure of the deal is highly strategic. The agreement includes substantial prepayments from Radiant to Centrus. These upfront funds are specifically earmarked to support Centrus' ongoing domestic commercial enrichment capacity program. By providing this capital, Radiant is directly investing in the expansion of the U.S. HALEU supply chain, ensuring that Centrus can scale up production to meet the growing demand from advanced reactor developers.

This contract highlights the critical intersection of reactor demand and fuel supply. As developers like Radiant finalize their reactor designs, securing long-term fuel commitments is just as vital as obtaining regulatory approval. The Centrus-Radiant partnership serves as a blueprint for how advanced reactor companies can collaborate with domestic enrichers to build a resilient, localized nuclear fuel ecosystem.

This article was assisted by AI analysis. Please refer to the original source for official information.