US company welcomes key step in building advanced fuel capability
Westinghouse Electric Company and Urenco have signed a long-term fuel enrichment agreement to supply high-assay low-enriched uranium (Haleu) for Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor, the companies said.
A statement said that under the deal, Urenco will provide Haleu for a five-year deployment period, marking a step towards securing fuel supply chains for next-generation nuclear technologies.
“This is a key step in building our capabilities to supply advanced nuclear fuels,” said Tarik Choho, president of nuclear fuel at Westinghouse.
Westinghouse has said that the compact design of the eVinci microreactor, with a capacity of up to 5 MWe, enables easy transportation and fast onsite deployment. The reactor operates with minimal moving parts, functioning much like a nuclear battery.
It is intended for off-grid applications, including remote communities, disaster relief, industrial sites, defence infrastructure, marine propulsion, hydrogen production, and water purification.
Urenco, the Anglo-German-Dutch uranium enrichment company, has previously announced it has embarked on an effort to develop its Haleu production capacities, aiming for a future market for advanced reactors.
The company expects to be able to supply Haleu to its advanced reactor customers in the early 2030s.
In May 2024, the UK government announced it will provide funding to Urenco to build a dedicated Haleu enrichment facility at its Capenhurst site in northern England.
Urenco was also among four companies to receive a 10-year contract in October by the US Department of Energy for the eventual production of Haleu in the US.
According to earlier reports, Westinghouse’s eVinci is slated for scaled commercial deployment in the early 2030s.
