Fuel & operations

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has increased its projections for global nuclear energy capacity, forecasting a more than threefold increase by 2060. This growth is anticipated to be significantly supported by small modular reactors (SMRs) and the extension of operating licenses for existing reactors. The IAEA's high-case scenario projects nuclear generating capacity to reach 1,284 GWe by 2060, up from 377.1 GWe at the end of 2025.

Ampera and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) are partnering on the Thorium Unimodal Droplet Ejection for Reactors (Thunder) project to advance TRISO fuel manufacturing. This collaboration aims to optimize liquid-metal-jetting technology for producing thorium-232 kernels, supporting Ampera's strategy to establish a domestic advanced nuclear fuel supply chain for its subcritical thorium-based microreactors.

A new Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Fortum and Google will cover the life extension period of the Loviisa nuclear power plant in Finland. The agreement, set to begin in 2028, will cover 50% of the plant's capacity from 2030 to 2049 and is expected to enable significant investments in extending the plant's operational life until 2050. The companies also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore further collaboration in new nuclear power development and other energy solutions.

Niger's Council of Ministers has awarded a large uranium mining permit for the Arlit region to the state-owned Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA). This follows the nationalization of SOMAÏR and the revocation of Orano's mining permits. Additionally, the Madouela project permit has been reallocated to the Madaouela Mining Company (MAMICO), a new entity in which the state of Niger holds a 40% stake.

The Department of Energy has finalized a loan to NextEra Energy for the restart of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa. The plant, a single-unit boiling water reactor, ceased operations in 2020 but is now slated to return to service by early 2029, backed by a 25-year power purchase agreement with Google.

Kazakhstan's state uranium producer reports strong financial performance and signs new supply agreements as utilities move away from spot-market reliance, while a critical sulphuric acid plant project faces construction delays.

Changjiang Unit 4 has successfully completed cold functional tests, a critical step before fuel loading and grid connection. These tests verify the integrity and operational readiness of the reactor's primary circuit and associated systems. The Changjiang site is also developing a demonstration ACP100 small modular reactor.

First American Nuclear Co has submitted a regulatory engagement plan to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel fabrication facility designed to supply its EAGL-1 advanced reactor and other customers.

Argentina is progressing with its RA-10 multipurpose nuclear research reactor project, aiming for commissioning by late 2024 and full operation by 2027. The reactor, designed to produce medical radioisotopes and support scientific research, is currently 96% complete. The project involves private capital for its associated production plant and is expected to generate foreign exchange through exports in a specialized global market.

A discussion on nuclear fuel-cycle transparency links uranium price indicators to signals for projected supply gaps and outlines why emerging HALEU needs for small, advanced and micro-reactors add new front-end and back-end requirements.

A new pilot project for a First Nations-owned Transportable Nuclear Power Plant (TNPP) is set to validate logistics and operational requirements in New Brunswick, Canada. The project aims to establish a commercial blueprint for a fleet of TNPPs across Canada's North and for global export. The provincial government of New Brunswick has committed to purchasing the generated electricity, and the project has been advanced to Canada's federal Major Projects Office.

China National Nuclear Corporation said the first of 163 fuel assemblies has been loaded into Tianwan unit 7, with initial fuel supplied by Rosatom and manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant under a contract covering units 7 and 8.

A full-scope control room simulator has been commissioned at the Xudabao nuclear plant in China, enabling operator training for the first two units before their entry into service.

Framatome has received Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval to raise the enrichment limit at its Richland site and to authorise TRISO fuel fabrication, while a separate memorandum of understanding outlines long-term HALEU supply planning between Lightbridge and QNI.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has licensed a new on-site facility at Bruce Power to handle irradiated materials in lutetium-177 production, marking an expansion of the operator's medical isotope capabilities.

Urenco is constructing a major new enrichment plant in New Mexico, adding 2.1 million separative work units of capacity by 2036 to address growing nuclear fuel demand and the US ban on Russian-enriched uranium imports.

A new collaboration hub in Cumbria combines 360-degree visualisation, remotely operated robotics and live data streaming to enable safer, more efficient planning of complex nuclear facility decommissioning work.

The US Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has selected eight recipients under its HORNIG programme, committing funds to develop transuranic-bearing fuels for advanced and Gen IV reactors with the aim of shortening qualification timelines and strengthening domestic fuel supply chains.

The CAP1000 reactor unit in China has successfully completed comprehensive thermal testing, clearing the way for fuel loading and grid connection within 2026.

China National Nuclear Corporation says the Unit 4 main control room has begun duty shifts following a 31 July ceremony, as Changjiang Phase II continues toward full operation in early 2027.