Urenco USA selected for HALEU enrichment award by U.S. Department of Energy
17 October 2024
Eunice, NM – October 17, 2024 – Urenco USA has been selected for an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract to provide enrichment services for the production of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) from new domestic capacity in support of the mission of the Office of Nuclear Energy of the U. S. Department of Energy. HALEU is uranium enriched up to 20% and will be needed to fuel advanced reactor designs. The contract is for a period of 10 years.
Urenco USA currently has the capacity to meet approximately one-third of the enrichment needs of U.S. utilities and is expanding to meet further demand. It is already in the licensing process to increase its enrichment level up to 10% to produce the product low enriched uranium + (LEU+) to support the existing nuclear fleet to run more efficiently and next generation of reactors, several of which can initially run on LEU+. This is an important stepping stone towards the production of HALEU.
John Kirkpatrick, Managing Director of Urenco USA, said: “We welcome this award and support the Department of Energy’s efforts to help accelerate the development of a HALEU commercial market and in-turn the development of the next generation of nuclear power plants.
“Urenco USA’s U.S. workforce has the knowledge and experience to play a leading role in the production of HALEU and other advanced fuels, operating for more than a decade securely under intergovernmental treaties to ensure the peaceful use and safeguarding of nuclear technology.”
About Urenco USA
Urenco USA (UUSA) is part of an international company that operates on the cutting-edge of the nuclear energy industry, utilizing the world’s most advanced, energy-efficient, and cost-effective method to enrich uranium. As the only enrichment facility in North America, UUSA helps provide clean, sustainable energy while operating under a framework of high environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance standards. Our world-class facility is an oasis in the middle of the EnergyPlex, and we strive to promote the production of nuclear energy to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy while remaining dedicated to safety and investing in community outreach. To learn more, visit www.uusa.urenco.com.
