IHI and Polish Firms Win Early Contracts for Lubiatowo-Kopalino AP1000

IHI Secures Containment and CA01 Scope

IHI has been contracted to supply two critical components for the first AP1000 unit at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino nuclear power plant in northern Poland. The scope covers the reactor containment vessel, which encloses the reactor and associated safety systems, and the CA01 super module — a concrete and steel assembly composed of 47 sub-modules measuring more than 26 metres long, 29 metres wide, and 23 metres high. Positioned inside the containment module, the CA01 houses the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, and related equipment.

The award follows authorisation granted last month by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) for Westinghouse to begin procuring long-lead items for the first unit. PEJ confirmed that the initial order scope encompasses six key components of the nuclear island, including the containment vessel and associated structural modules.

Conditional Orders Placed with Polish Suppliers

Westinghouse has subsequently issued conditional purchase orders to four Polish companies for additional structural modules within the AP1000 containment building. Mostostal Kielce SA has been assigned the CA02 Walls Module Scope, while Mostostal Krakow SA will supply the CA05 Walls Module Scope. Energomontaż-Północ Gdynia SA (EPG) holds the CA03 Module Scope, and FAMAK SA is responsible for the CA20 Floors Module Scope.

Within the AP1000 design, the CA02 and CA03 modules form part of the in-containment refuelling water storage tank. The CA05 module provides reinforced steel plate walls that separate rooms inside the containment building, while the CA20 module consists of reinforced concrete slabs on steel plates forming the floors of a larger assembly that houses plant equipment.

The current scope of work for all suppliers includes preparing technical documentation, quality and supervision plans, supplier selection and contracting, and initiating material procurement. Manufacture and delivery of finished components to the construction site will be addressed under a subsequent order that PEJ intends to issue as part of the main plant construction contract.

Modular Construction and Schedule Context

The AP1000 design relies on modular construction, with large prefabricated steel-concrete structural and mechanical modules fabricated off-site and installed during construction. Early procurement of long-lead components is standard practice in nuclear projects to secure manufacturing capacity and reduce schedule risk.

Three AP1000 units are planned for the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Choczewo municipality in Pomerania. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028. Under a recent revision to Poland's nuclear power programme, the first unit is now targeted for commercial operation in 2036, with the plant reaching full capacity in 2038 — three years later than previously planned.

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.