Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 15, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected five American nuclear developers to receive high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to support their immediate fuel requirements. This initial allocation, announced by the DOE, advances the development of innovative nuclear technologies and promotes the expansion of nuclear energy in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Energy shortlisted five U.S. nuclear developers who could receive high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to meet their near-term fuel needs.
Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary, emphasized the significance of this step: “Allocating this HALEU material will help U.S. nuclear developers deploy their advanced reactors with materials sourced from secure supply chains, marking an important step forward in President Trump’s program to revitalize America’s nuclear sector.” The DOE highlighted that HALEU enables more compact, efficient, and durable reactor designs, crucial for next-generation nuclear energy.
Currently, the U.S. lacks domestic HALEU suppliers. To address this, the DOE has established a process to distribute HALEU from its existing sources, including those managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). After reviewing applications from 15 companies, the DOE chose five that met its prioritization criteria: TRISO-X, LLC, Kairos Power, LLC, Radiant Industries, Inc., Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC, and TerraPower, LLC. Three of these companies are scheduled to receive fuel as early as 2025.
This allocation supports participants in the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) Pathway 1, as well as companies testing in the DOME test bed and select ARDP risk reduction awardees. The DOE’s collaboration with industry aims to accelerate the commercialization of advanced reactors. The department plans to begin contracting with the five selected companies soon, with some expected to receive HALEU this fall. Additional allocations for other companies are planned for the future.
The HALEU distribution is part of the HALEU Availability Program, launched in 2020 to ensure a reliable domestic supply for research, development, demonstration, and commercial use. By providing HALEU to these developers, the DOE aims to strengthen the U.S. nuclear sector and support cleaner energy solutions.
This initiative reflects the DOE’s commitment to fostering innovation in nuclear technology while ensuring a stable supply chain for critical materials, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable energy production across the country.
