Framatome secures first contract for higher enriched fuel

Under the agreement - and as part of its Advanced Fuel Management (AFM) programme - Framatome will supply a series of higher enriched fuel reloads using AFM technology, beginning with delivery in early 2028. These reloads will support the long term deployment of AFM fuel for the reactor, with options for additional future reloads included in the contract. The company did not reveal the name of the reactor where the fuel will be deployed.

Uranium-235 is the main fissile isotope of uranium and occurs at a concentration of about 0.7% in natural uranium. Standard fuel used in today's operating light water reactors uses low-enriched uranium (LEU), with enrichment levels up to about 4.8% U-235. But higher-enriched fuel containing up to 10% U-235 - also known as LEU+ - can potentially offer improved nuclear fuel cycle economics for currently operating reactors.

AFM is a globally integrated Framatome programme designed to deliver fuel with higher enrichment and burnup limits. The company says enriching uranium oxide past the traditional 5% threshold, combined with its latest technology, allows reactor operators to maximise their energy production. The increases in enrichment and burnup support improved economic performance by extracting more cycle energy from the reactor core and reducing operations and maintenance costs. The AFM programme encompasses all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment services, regulatory licensing and fuel fabrication infrastructure.

This advanced fuel solution has been developed by Framatome and will be manufactured at its facility in Richland, Washington. The facility has undergone upgrades and modifications over the past four years to support implementation of this innovative technology, and received US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval for the fabrication of fuel with increased uranium enrichments and to manufacture fuel with higher burnup limits.

Framatome said the fuel supply agreement "represents a major advancement for the global nuclear industry, enabling the first reactor in operation to extend its cycle lengths and burnup rates through this advanced technology. The contract establishes a new benchmark for innovation, performance and industry collaboration."

It said the agreement builds on ongoing deliveries of standard GAIA fuel, Framatome's most advanced pressurised water reactor fuel design, which serves as the foundation for these AFM enabled reloads. "With AFM, the US customer will extend its fuel cycle length from 18 to 24 months, reducing outage frequency and enhancing operational efficiency and power generation," it said.

"This contract reflects the strength of our long standing relationship with our customer and our shared commitment to advancing nuclear fuel technology," said Lionel Gaiffe, Framatome's Senior Executive Vice President, Fuel Business Unit. "Collaborating on this milestone project underscores the trust our customers place in Framatome's expertise and the innovative capabilities of our Advanced Fuel Management technology."

Framatome submitted a licence amendment request to the NRC in September 2024, seeking permission for the plant to handle uranium enriched up to 10%, up from the current 6.5% so that it can expand domestic capacity for advanced reactor fuels and support the acceleration of deployment of next-generation reactors. The NRC approved Framatome's request in July this year.

In October 2023, Southern Nuclear has announced it has received authorisation from the NRC to use Westinghouse advanced nuclear fuel enriched up to 6% uranium-235 at Vogtle unit 2. This marked the first time a US commercial reactor had been authorised to use fuel with over 5% enrichment.