HALEU and LEU enrichment capacity, uranium supply chains, Centrus, Urenco and fuel feedstock developments
Centrus Energy has commenced domestic HALEU production at its Ohio facility under a DOE contract, positioning itself as a critical supplier for advanced reactors.
Oklo Inc. and Centrus Energy Corp. announced plans for a joint venture focused on HALEU deconversion and enrichment services at Centrus' Piketon site in Ohio. The co-location strategy aims to streamline the fuel cycle.
The US currently relies on a single 16-centrifuge cascade for HALEU enrichment while foreign entities process the majority of utility feed. Meanwhile, domestic UF6 conversion capacity remains concentrated among a few Western plants.
Centrus Energy Corp. plays a vital role in the nuclear fuel supply chain by supplying low-enriched uranium components, separative work units, and enriched uranium products to utility companies.
Investments in uranium enrichment were stalled for over four decades following the Chernobyl accident, creating acute material shortages for today's advanced nuclear startups.
Centrus Energy is expanding its Piketon, Ohio facility to boost HALEU production capacity following a $900 million task order from the DOE. The company also plans to launch a new centrifuge manufacturing plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.