NTPC to Conduct Feasibility Studies for New Nuclear Projects in India

NTPC, a state-owned entity, is set to begin feasibility studies for new nuclear power projects in more states, such as Uttar Pradesh. This initiative is part of its strategy to increase non-fossil fuel energy capacity to at least 2 GW by 2032. The company's long-term goal is to develop 30 GW of nuclear projects by 2047, supporting the government's target of 100 GW nuclear capacity for India.

Feasibility studies have already been completed in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, identifying Banka, Basai, and Nabarangpur as potential sites. The process involves submitting studies to the Department of Atomic Energy, followed by review from the Standing Site Selection Committee and the Atomic Energy Commission.

Developing 1 GW of nuclear power capacity typically requires an investment of Rs 15,000-20,000 crore and a minimum of three years for completion. NTPC is also exploring collaborations with international energy companies, including Westinghouse, Rosatom, and EDF, for large pressurized water reactor projects in India. The Central Electricity Authority estimates that Rs 15 lakh crore will be needed to achieve the 100 GW nuclear capacity target by adding approximately 91 GW to the current 8.8 GW.

United States Revives Shuttered Nuclear Plants to Meet Energy Demand

The United States is undertaking an effort to revive three nuclear plants that had ceased operations. This initiative aims to meet growing electricity demand, including that from large-scale data centers. The Department of Energy is allocating up to $4.4 billion to support the restart of the Palisades Power Plant in Michigan, the Crane Clean Energy Centre on Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island, and the Duane Arnold Energy Centre in Iowa. These plants are expected to collectively restore 2.25 gigawatts of electricity.

Two of the plants have secured contracts with technology companies that will pay a premium for carbon-free energy for their data centers. The Palisades plant, which operated until 2022, is expected to be operational by March 2027. Holtec International acquired the plant and began dismantling it, though the steps taken were reversible. NextEra Energy and Google are collaborating to restart Duane Arnold by early 2029. Constellation Energy announced a $1.6 billion investment to restart the Crane Clean Energy Centre reactor under a 20-year agreement with Microsoft, with an anticipated online date in 2027.

Newcleo Opens Advanced MOX Fuel Development Center in France

Newcleo has opened its EUR10 million (USD11 million) advanced nuclear fuel engineering, testing, and training center in Chusclan, located in the Gard department of southern France. This facility, named FASTER (Fuel process Assembly Storage Training and Enhanced Reality), is designed to support the development and manufacturing of mixed uranium/plutonium oxide (MOX) fuel for Newcleo's small modular lead-cooled fast reactors.

The FASTER facility provides advanced engineering, prototype testing, and immersive training capabilities for Newcleo’s fuel team, which consists of approximately 100 engineers and specialists. The center operates on a "test and learn" approach, translating concepts into prototypes and test mock-ups for refinement and industrial deployment. Seven test facilities are currently operational, with more under development.

MOX Fuel Manufacturing and Recycling

The facilities at FASTER address various stages of MOX fuel manufacturing, including powder dosing optimization, glovebox ergonomics, pellet handling, fuel pin assembly and decontamination, pellet inspection, and helium filling. Newcleo plans to fabricate MOX nuclear fuel, which is produced using a mixture of uranium and plutonium oxides, to power its lead-cooled fast reactors and potentially other third-party off-takers.

MOX fuel, when used in fast reactors, enables the multi-recycling of nuclear fuel in a closed fuel cycle. This circular approach aims to extract more energy from natural uranium compared to traditional once-through fuel cycles in thermal reactors, while also reducing the volume and radioactivity of nuclear waste.

Regulatory Submissions and Investment

In December 2024, Newcleo submitted its Safety Options File to the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire et de Radioprotection (ASNR) for its proposed mixed-oxide fuel assembly facility. The ASNR's official opinion on these safety options will contribute to the authorization application for the facility's construction. In July, ASNR issued an opinion on Newcleo's proposed safety features, deeming the company's safety approach satisfactory at that stage.

Newcleo intends to directly invest in a MOX plant to fuel its small modular lead-cooled fast reactors. The company has proposed deploying an advanced MOX fuel fabrication facility in the Aube department of France, near Nogent-sur-Seine, to manufacture fuel for its future European reactors. This project represents an initial investment of EUR1.8 billion (USD2.1 billion) and could eventually include three production lines. An additional investment of EUR3.2 billion by 2040 could enable the creation of two more lines.

Newcleo's roadmap includes the first non-nuclear precursor prototype of its lead-cooled fast neutron reactor being ready this year in Italy, with the first reactor operational in France as early as 2032. The final investment decision for the first commercial power plant is anticipated around 2029.