Copenhagen Atomics and Urenco Partner on UF4 Deconversion Facility

Agreement Overview

Copenhagen Atomics and Urenco have entered into an agreement under which Urenco will support the design of a dedicated facility to deconvert uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into uranium tetrafluoride (UF4). The new production line will be integrated into Copenhagen Atomics' existing fuel facility in Copenhagen.

Under the arrangement, Copenhagen Atomics will source enriched UF6, convert it to UF4 on-site, and use the material to synthesise high-purity fuel salts. The salts are intended both for the company's own reactors and for supply to other molten salt reactor (MSR) developers and research institutions.

Supply Chain Significance

Copenhagen Atomics describes the UF4 production line as the concluding element of its in-house fuel supply chain, enabling what it characterises as tonne-scale fuel-salt production — a capability it claims is the first of its kind globally. The company's CTO, Aslak Stubsgaard, stated that establishing the line in Copenhagen provides the final missing piece needed for full in-house production of reactor-ready fuel salts.

Iain Roche, Business Development Director at Urenco, described the collaboration as bringing together complementary capabilities to develop a novel fuel solution and build the supply chain required for its future deployment.

Separately, Copenhagen Atomics has also purchased low-enriched uranium (LEU) from Urenco for use in its first reactors.

Reactor Technology Context

Copenhagen Atomics is developing a containerised molten salt reactor moderated with unpressurised heavy water. The design is intended to consume nuclear waste while breeding new fuel from thorium, with a thermal output of 100 MWt. The company is targeting mass manufacturing and assembly-line production methods, with a stated levelised cost of energy goal of EUR 20 (approximately USD 22.4) per MWh.

UF4 is a required input for thorium-fuelled MSRs as a kick-starter fuel, and also serves as the base fuel for other MSR designs. The deconversion line therefore supports both Copenhagen Atomics' own programme and the broader advanced reactor sector.

The company's first nuclear test reactor is expected to operate at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, with commercial deployment targeted for the early 2030s.

Broader Sector Activity

The agreement follows Urenco's recent signing of a memorandum of understanding with MSR developer Thorizon, which is examining Urenco's potential role in the molten salt fuel supply chain and the possible use of depleted uranium — a byproduct of enrichment operations — as a fuel resource for advanced reactors.

Belgium and Engie Extend Nuclear Asset Transaction Deadline to 12 December

Deadline Extended Again

The Belgian government, Engie, and Electrabel have agreed to extend the target date for concluding heads of terms on a proposed nuclear asset transaction to 12 December. The parties had previously shifted the original 1 October deadline to 4 November to allow additional time for analysis and discussion. The latest extension grants one additional month, which the parties describe as a maximum period.

In a joint statement, the three parties acknowledged that in-depth discussions over recent months had produced progress and strengthened mutual understanding, but noted that significant differences remain, particularly regarding the valuation of the transaction. They stated their intention to use the additional time to reconcile their positions.

Scope of the Proposed Transaction

Negotiations are based on a Letter of Intent agreed in late April, which covers the full scope of nuclear activities currently owned and operated by Engie and Electrabel and their affiliates. The proposed transaction encompasses all seven reactors in the Belgian fleet, associated personnel, all nuclear subsidiaries, and all related assets and liabilities, including decommissioning and dismantling obligations.

A key financial element of the broader framework already agreed is the transfer of nuclear waste liabilities from Engie to the Belgian state for EUR 15 billion, payable in two instalments. The transaction reflects the Belgian government's stated strategic objective of assuming direct ownership of the country's nuclear assets, with a view to extending existing reactor operations and developing new nuclear capacity.

LTO Overhauls Completed for Doel 4 and Tihange 3

Both of Belgium's currently operating reactors have recently completed long-term operation overhauls. Tihange 3 was taken offline on 5 April 2025 for an extensive inspection and maintenance programme. Following review by regulator FANC and its technical subsidiary Bel V, the 1,020 MWe pressurised water reactor was cleared for safe restart and returned to service on 10 July. Doel 4 was shut down on 30 June for its own LTO overhaul and restarted on 8 October.

Both units had submitted comprehensive LTO files, including safety studies and action plans, to regulators in December 2024 as a prerequisite for continued operation to 2035.

Policy and Regulatory Background

Belgium's federal parliament voted by a large majority in May 2025 to repeal the 2003 law that had mandated a phase-out of nuclear power and prohibited construction of new nuclear generating capacity. The repeal clears the legislative path for long-term operation and potential new build.

Of the original seven-reactor fleet, five units have now ceased operation. Doel 3 closed in September 2022, Tihange 2 at the end of January 2023, Doel 1 in February 2025, Tihange 1 on 30 September 2025, and Doel 2 in December after 50 years of operation. Doel 4 and Tihange 3 remain in service and are authorised to operate until 2035, with Belgium's coalition government having announced in February 2025 plans to extend their operation by a further ten years beyond that date.

Helen Launches Statutory EIA Process for Helsinki SMR Plant

EIA Programme Marks Regulatory Milestone

Helsinki-based energy company Helen has published its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Programme for a proposed small modular reactor plant, triggering the statutory EIA procedure in Finland. The programme has been released for public consultation, giving authorities, stakeholders, and residents the opportunity to review and submit opinions on the scope and methodology of the assessment.

The EIA process will proceed in two stages. The current programme stage defines which impacts will be assessed and how. A full EIA report compiling the results is scheduled for publication in 2028, at which point further statements and opinions will be collected. Helen has stated its intention to make a final plant location decision that same year.

Three Candidate Sites, Five Implementation Options

The assessment covers three candidate locations: the Salmisaari and Vuosaari power plant areas within Helsinki, and Norrberget in Östersund. Five implementation options are under evaluation, reflecting different combinations of plant technology and site. A zero-build alternative — in which the project is not implemented — is also included in the assessment.

Both a heat-only plant and a combined heat and power (cogeneration) plant configuration are being considered. However, the cogeneration option is being assessed only at Vuosaari and Norrberget; space constraints at Salmisaari preclude it. A cogeneration plant would require additional infrastructure, including cooling water arrangements and electricity transmission connections.

Capacity Parameters

The EIA will examine maximum plant capacities. For the heat-only configuration, thermal capacity is set at 600 MW, corresponding to a reactor capacity of 630 MW. For the cogeneration configurations, thermal capacity reaches 700 MW with an electrical output of 500 MW, requiring a reactor capacity of up to 1,400 MW. Helen noted that the characteristics of the final plant will be refined as design work progresses and may be smaller than the assessed maximums.

AFRY Engaged as EIA Consultant

Engineering, project management and advisory firm AFRY is serving as the EIA consultant for the project. The company is also supporting Helen's broader nuclear energy programme through studies on potential plant locations and technical solutions.

Helen launched the first phase of its nuclear programme in September 2024, with the stated aim of constructing a small nuclear power plant to supply heat to Helsinki. The programme is evaluating SMRs based on proven technologies capable of producing heat alone or heat and electricity in combination. Ongoing activities include negotiations with potential partner shareholders and evaluation of plant suppliers.

Helen's Nuclear Siting Manager, Melina Laine, noted that initiating the EIA at an early stage allows the project's impacts and implementation conditions to be thoroughly investigated before further planning decisions are taken. Helen Ydinvoima Oy CEO Pekka Tolonen indicated that nuclear power is being explored as a means of stabilising energy prices and securing supply for a growing city.