Advanced reactors and SMR programs consuming HALEU — TerraPower, X-energy, Kairos, Oklo and fleet demand
Surging electricity demand from AI data centres, robotics and advanced manufacturing is reviving nuclear interest, but many SMR designs depend on HALEU that the US does not yet produce at scale.
Centrus was expected to reach 1.8 MTU of HALEU by the end of June 2026 — less than 10% of estimated demand — while Natrium's construction permit and 2030 target put pressure on fuel timelines.
A 2026–2031 global enrichment outlook warns that HALEU production plans fall short of what a large advanced reactor fleet would need, even as SMR and microreactor developers sign multi-year fuel offtakes.
Reactor developers like Radiant and Thorizon are securing long-term HALEU supply agreements and launching fuel qualification programs to advance microreactor and molten salt reactor deployments.
Advanced reactor developer Oklo has announced plans for its Groves-2 project and secured a spot in the DOE's Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program. The company continues to expand its HALEU-powered reactor footprint despite recent interconnection queue challenges.
Advanced reactor developers are securing crucial HALEU supply chains, highlighted by Quantum Leap Energy's offtake agreement with TerraPower and Centrus Energy's multiyear fuel deal with Radiant for its Kaleidos microreactors.
Framatome is investing heavily in its Richland facility to include HALEU capabilities, even as the IAEA warns of insufficient global industrial capacity to meet future advanced reactor demands.
Franco-Dutch startup Thorizon and enrichment giant Urenco have signed an MOU to explore a strategic partnership for the advanced nuclear fuel cycle. The collaboration focuses on supplying HALEU in molten salt form for Thorizon's next-generation small modular reactor.
Thorizon and Urenco have signed a non-binding MoU to explore uranium enrichment and HALEU supply for the Thorizon One molten salt reactor in the Netherlands, targeting first delivery in 2034.
The deployment of advanced microreactors and space-nuclear missions is accelerating HALEU demand, prompting strategic partnerships and conditional allocations from the DOE.
NANO Nuclear Energy and Quadrant Nuclear Industries signed an MoU for the long-term offtake of HALEU to support the KRONOS MMR Energy System. QNI plans to produce 18 metric tons annually at INL.
Advanced Small Modular Reactors (ASMRs) are increasingly attracting global interest due to their enhanced safety and flexible designs. This growing demand for ASMRs is directly fueling the need for specialized High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel.