Locking in Fuel for the SMR Revolution

The demand for High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) is rapidly transitioning from theoretical projections to concrete commercial contracts. X-energy, a leading developer of advanced nuclear technology, has signed a definitive, long-term enrichment services agreement with Centrus Energy. This crucial deal covers both Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and HALEU, securing the vital fuel supply needed for X-energy's Xe-100 advanced Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program.

Supporting a Gigawatt-Scale Pipeline

Under the terms of the agreement, HALEU will be supplied directly from Centrus's American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio. The fuel will then be delivered to TRISO-X for coated particle fuel fabrication in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This integrated domestic supply chain is designed to support a portion of the initial fuel needs for X-energy's massive commercial pipeline, which totals an impressive 144 reactors with a combined capacity of 11.5 gigawatts electric (GWe) across the United States and the United Kingdom.

"X-energy's commercial pipeline totals 144 reactors (11.5 GWe) in the U.S. and U.K., requiring a massive and secure supply of HALEU."

This strategic offtake agreement coincides with strong financial and operational momentum for X-energy. In the second quarter of 2026, the company reported revenues of $54.6 million. To further secure its fuel fabrication capabilities, X-energy also secured a capacity-expansion deal with SGL Carbon and obtained an $11 million grant from the state of Tennessee. Additionally, the company added approximately 70 acres to its Oak Ridge fuel campus, ensuring ample space for future TRISO-X manufacturing expansion.

By locking in long-term HALEU enrichment agreements, X-energy is mitigating one of the most significant risks facing the advanced nuclear industry: fuel availability. As the first movers in the SMR space secure their fuel supply chains, they pave the way for the broader commercial deployment of next-generation nuclear reactors globally.

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