Urenco Accelerates HALEU Expansion and Emphasizes Fuel Supply Readiness

Urenco's Dual-Track HALEU Expansion

Urenco, a global leader in uranium enrichment, is aggressively expanding its High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) capabilities across multiple continents to meet the surging demand from next-generation nuclear reactors. The company has announced a significant expansion effort at its existing enrichment facility in New Mexico, aiming to increase capacity by over 50%. This massive expansion could potentially cover up to half of the uranium currently imported from Russia into the United States, bolstering Western energy security.

Commercial-Scale Production by 2031

In addition to its U.S. expansion, Urenco is looking toward the international market. Dr. Magnus Mori, Urenco's Head of Advanced Fuels, recently highlighted the company's plans to deliver commercial-scale HALEU production from a new facility at Capenhurst in the UK by 2031. This timeline aligns perfectly with the anticipated deployment schedules of various advanced reactor designs globally.

"Fuel supply readiness is vital for the next generation of reactors. Utilities are increasingly securing fuel supplies through longer-term agreements to ensure project viability," emphasized Urenco CEO Boris Schucht at the WNA Symposium 2026.

During the symposium, Urenco also engaged in a detailed Q&A session with Antares, a prominent HALEU customer, represented by its Head of Federal Strategy and Policy, Tom Mancinelli. This collaboration underscores the growing integration between fuel suppliers and reactor developers.

Meeting the SMR Demand

The push for HALEU is driven by Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced designs that require higher enrichment levels to achieve optimal performance. By securing long-term offtake agreements and expanding capacity, Urenco is providing the market certainty needed for reactor developers to finalize their designs and secure financing. The company's proactive approach to fuel cycle preparation is widely seen as a critical enabler for the broader commercialization of advanced nuclear energy worldwide.

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