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Greetings Patrick!
In this week’s issue, we provide an infographic examining the deep and dependent cooperation between American and Korean nuclear companies. We spotlight an article by ClearPath’s Niko McMurray that argues the United States must modernize the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) in order to secure America’s global energy leadership, including in nuclear power. Finally, we highlight key nuclear technology, security, and geopolitical developments, reports, and analyses.
This issue of Nuclear News and Views was produced by PGS Program Director, Patrick Kendall, and Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellows, Emily Day and Jocelyn Livier.
| | U.S.-Korea Nuclear Interdependence | | |
Several U.S. nuclear companies have established partnerships with South Korean suppliers to support the development and deployment of conventional and advanced nuclear technologies. Westinghouse has the longest relationship and collaborates with Doosan Enerbility, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and SK Inc. for the supply of reactor pressure vessels, valves, feedwater pumps, steam generators and other components for the AP-1000. These components were used in the Vogtle reactor project in Georgia. NuScale Power works with Doosan Enerbility, GS Energy, and Samsung C&T on small modular reactor (SMR) technology, including pressure vessels and forgings. Samsung C&T may potentially serve as an EPC partner with NuScale in international projects. X-Energy relies on Doosan Enerbility for component fabrication for its Xe-100 reactors. Meanwhile, TerraPower has secured a $250 million investment from SK Group and may source components from Hyosung Heavy Industries, highlighting the growing role of Korean firms in the U.S. advanced nuclear supply chain.
Timeline
The U.S.–ROK nuclear supply chain relationship has deepened over the past two decades. In the 2000s and 2010s, South Korean companies like Doosan Enerbility and Hyundai Heavy Industries supplied essential components such as reactor vessels and steam generators for U.S. nuclear projects, primarily the Westinghouse AP-1000.
In 2019, Doosan took a $60 million equity stake in NuScale Power, signaling a strong commitment to small modular reactor (SMR) development.
Between 2021 and 2022, the partnership expanded into advanced reactors, with Doosan manufacturing SMR components for NuScale and engaging with other U.S. startups, while SK Group and Hyosung initiated talks with TerraPower.
In 2023, X-Energy partnered with Doosan for Xe-100 reactor components, and firms like Samsung C&T and GS Energy emerged as potential partners.
By 2024–2025, the collaboration has evolved into a robust relationship with South Korean firms playing a role in investment, deployment strategies, and project execution.
| | Jocelyn Livier, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | | | | |
Spotlight
Niko McMurray, the Managing Director of International and Nuclear Policy at ClearPath, in his new article Modernize, Compete, Win: Upgrading America’s Energy Finance Strategy, argues that to secure America’s global energy leadership, we must modernize the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Export-Import Bank (EXIM). With reauthorization on the table this year, McMurray highlights the need to raise lending caps, expand eligibility locations, and streamline bureaucracy so these agencies can better compete with China’s massive state-backed energy investments.
McMurray emphasizes the importance of energy finance as a strategic tool for strengthening U.S. influence abroad, particularly in emerging and middle-income markets where China and Russia are securing long-term deals. While DFC and EXIM are vital to backing American energy projects, outdated policies constrain their effectiveness and hinder their full potential. To address this, McMurray calls for reforms including increasing loan limits, updating budget rules, broadening operational scope beyond low-income countries, and improving tools to manage currency risk. These changes would not only make U.S.-supported projects more viable and attractive but also allow the U.S. to capitalize on its leadership in LNG, nuclear, and critical minerals and offer a credible alternative to authoritarian-backed energy deals.
| | Emily Day, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | | Issues of Special Interest | | Global AI and Data Center Energy | | |
The U.S. Department of Energy has identified 16 potential sites that are uniquely positioned for rapid data center construction, including in-place energy infrastructure with the ability to fast-track permitting for new energy generation such as nuclear power. The DoE also released a Request for Information (RFI) to inform possible use of its land for AI infrastructure development to support growing demand for data centers, with the information being used to guide development, encourage private-public partnerships, and enable the construction of AI infrastructure at select sites with a target of commencing operations by 2027. The DoE is currently looking to expand AI in accordance with President Trump’s Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence executive order.
U.S. microreactor developer Aalo Atomics has launched the Aalo Pod - a 50 MWe modular reactor for powering data centers. The company says that the Aalo Pod is easy to co-locate on site with a data center and is expecting to be able to deliver on the Aalo Pod within 12 months from order placement and a few months for each additional pod. Aalo is currently engaged with multiple partners on developing its nuclear reactor models, including approval from the Department of Energy to locate the Aalo-X experimental reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
Dutch research institute NRG PALLAS signed a contract with Kairos Power to assess materials and fuels that will be used in the small modular reactors (SMR) it is developing to power data centers for Google. Through these assessments, NRC PALLAS will help Kairos Power meet cost and schedule commitments for Google and future customers. Kairos had previously signed several agreements with NRC PALLAS to perform irradiation demonstration and qualification of fuels and materials to support the KP-FHR commercial program.
| | The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs | | |
The Chief Executive of Energoatom, Petro Kotin, warned it would be unsafe for Russia to restart the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, citing serious safety and infrastructure issues. A safe restart would require extensive repairs, removal of Russian forces, and could take between two months and two years in a secure, peacetime environment. The plant also faces degraded infrastructure, insufficient cooling water, and an understaffed, undertrained workforce.
Russia announced plans to restart the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with officials aiming to bring units 2 and 6 online once hostilities cease and safety conditions improve. Plant Director Yuriy Chernichuk emphasized that restoring cooling water, repairing power lines, and inspecting equipment are major prerequisites before relaunching operations. Staffing shortages, licensing under Russian regulation, and adapting foreign-bought parts under sanctions add further complexity to the timeline.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi issued a statement on the ongoing nuclear security situation in Ukraine. According to his statement, the IAEA has carried out five deliveries of equipment and other technical assistance over the past week as it remains fully focused on helping to prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict. Among the deliveries, Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology received equipment to enhance nuclear security at the site, and the South Ukraine power plant received a body counter to monitor internal exposures of its operating staff.
| | Global Nuclear Developments, Geopolitics, & Governance | | |
Russia plans to expand its fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers from 10–11 to 15–17 vessels to accommodate growing cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route. Officials at the Arctic Forum highlighted the need for more icebreakers and cargo ships to manage projected volumes of up to 150 million tons and emphasized ongoing cooperation with China and India. The discussion also covered Arctic tourism, the development of "nuclear cities," continued construction of advanced icebreakers, and the lack of improvement in ice conditions despite global warming.
Russian international cooperation envoy Kirill Dmitriev stated that Russia could supply a small nuclear power plant for SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s planned mission to Mars. Dmitriev said that Moscow could discuss the offer with Musk by video conference, adding that Russia has some nuclear technologies that would benefit SpaceX’s ambitions to launch a Mars mission. The proposal comes after the U.S. President Donald Trump launched talks with Russia aimed at reviving bilateral ties and developing economic cooperation.
Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant successfully tested the new TUK-137T.R transport container for used fuel from its VVER-1200 reactor during a scheduled outage of unit 6. The container, which holds 18 fuel assemblies and uses no imported components, is designed to safely handle higher radiation and heat loads. The next phase of testing will take place at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, with preparations already underway.
Russian nuclear agency Rosatom said it has created a technology for processing liquid radioactive sodium coolant, allowing for the decommissioning of fast neutron reactors. The installation operates using solid-phase oxidation technology, which will allow liquid sodium to be converted into a solid mineral-like product suitable for final disposal. Russia currently has numerous fast neutron reactors in operation, such as the BN-600 and BN-800 power reactors at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant and the BOR-60 fast neutron research reactor.
Russian nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor has approved a 15-year life extension to 2040 for the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3. This follows an assessment of the condition of the unit, including the reactor vessel and internal elements and heat exchanger supports, after which Rostekhnadzor concluded the equipment complies with all safety standards. The Beloyarsk Unit 3 is a sodium-cooled BN-800 fast neutron reactor that is part of Rosatom’s Breakthrough project to deploy more fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle.
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China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has begun seeking financing for the Xuwei nuclear power project in Jiangsu province, which will combine two Hualong One pressurized water reactors with a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) to provide both electricity and industrial heating. The project marks the first use of a heat-to-electricity operation mode and aims to generate over 11.5 billion kWh annually while supplying 32.5 million tonnes of steam, significantly reducing coal use and carbon emissions.
China has begun the first phase of its ambitious $2.7 billion Xinghuo project, aiming to build the world’s first hybrid fusion-fission nuclear power plant in Jiangxi province by 2030. The facility will use high-energy neutrons from fusion to trigger fission, increasing energy output and potentially reducing nuclear waste. Unlike pure fusion reactors like ITER, Xinghuo targets a Q value (energy output/input ratio) above 30, surpassing current global benchmarks.
As China ramps up its nuclear energy ambitions, its uranium demand is outpacing domestic supply, pushing scientists to explore seawater as a vast alternative source. Chinese researchers at Lanzhou University have developed a breakthrough metal-organic framework (MOF) technology that improves uranium extraction from seawater by 40 times, successfully separating it from similar elements like vanadium. This new material, enhanced with light-responsive molecules, demonstrated a high uranium adsorption capacity and exceptional selectivity in both simulated and real seawater.
Hot functional testing has been successfully completed at Unit 2 of China's Zhangzhou nuclear power plant in Fujian province. This critical phase involved raising the reactor coolant system's temperature and pressure to simulate normal operational conditions, ensuring all systems function as designed before fuel loading. The completion of these tests paves the way for subsequent steps, including fuel loading and grid connection, with commercial operation targeted for the fourth quarter of 2025.
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Marketing company Innofact conducted a poll of German citizens which found that 55% of Germans surveyed were in favor of a return to nuclear power, in contrast to just 36% in opposition. In addition to this question, 22% said only the most recently shuttered reactors should go back online, while 32% said that new nuclear reactors should be built. These findings come as the current German coalition government is considering whether a return to service for the country’s recently decommissioned nuclear reactors would be technically and financially feasible.
German company Marvel Fusion announced the extension of its Series B funding round by €50 million to €113 million with funding from EQT Ventures, Siemens Energy, and the European Innovation Council Fund. Bringing the total funding to €385 million, the extended funding round is intended to support Marvel Fusion’s transition from its research and development phase towards industrial deployment. Marvel Fusion is currently in the process of building two laser prototypes. Germany has been increasing its investment in nuclear fusion, with the aim of building a first nuclear fusion power plant by 2040.
The British government has announced £20 million ($25.5 million) to kickstart Starmaker One - a British private fusion investment fund that it says will help fusion businesses and start-ups in the sector grow and commercialize at scale. Starmaker One is a limited partnership in which the government is a cornerstone investor, and it has the potential to raise between £100 million and £150 million overall. This investment follows a government commitment back in January for a record level of £410 million for British fusion research and collaboration with other countries.
British inertial fusion developer First Light Fusion and technology company Frazer-Nash Consultancy announced plans for collaborative research to advance fusion energy. Frazer-Nash will contribute its expertise in complex engineering and systems development to support First Light Fusion’s new business strategy. The collaboration will focus on delivering critical engineering solutions, developing new technical capabilities, and nurturing industry partnerships to strengthen the fusion supply chain and innovation network.
Britain’s Hartlepool nuclear power station has been placed under enhanced regulatory attention by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) due to identified areas for safety improvement. While the plant remains safe to operate, the ONR emphasized that the increased scrutiny is unrelated to Électricité de France’s (EDF) proposal to extend the plant’s life to March 2027. EDF has submitted a performance improvement plan, which regulators believe will adequately address the concerns.
The Czech Republic’s state-owned utility CEZ will sign a contract with South Korea’s KHNP this quarter to build two new 1,000-megawatt reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The deal, valued at over $17 billion, had been delayed due to political uncertainty in South Korea, a complaint from French rival EDF, and debates over how much of the project should be localized in the Czech Republic. This signing comes after Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček recently stated that the two sides are also looking at further nuclear cooperation beyond the Dukovany project.
Czech utility CEZ has selected U.S.-based Amentum to advance its small modular reactor (SMR) program by completing environmental impact assessments for proposed Rolls-Royce SMRs at the Temelin nuclear power plant and the coal-fired Tusimice site. Amentum’s Czech-based team will assess radiological risks, waste management, and environmental safeguards following earlier scoping studies. CEZ, now a shareholder in Rolls-Royce SMR, aims to deploy the first unit in the early 2030s and expand SMR capacity to 3 GWe by 2050.
Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe and the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium have agreed to the terms and conditions of an Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) for Poland’s first nuclear power plant. The EDA establishes the framework for cooperation between the two parties in the upcoming months after the previous 18-month engineering services contract expired in March of this year. Poland is currently making progress on building its first nuclear power plant, with President Andrzej Duda recently signing a bill designating $15.5 billion in public funding for the construction of the power plant between 2025 and 2030.
Poland’s MARIA research reactor has been temporarily shut down after its operating license expired at the end of March. The National Centre for Nuclear Research submitted a renewal application in August 2024, but the licensing authority is still reviewing over 30 supporting documents and has requested further clarifications. While awaiting a new permit, the facility will continue safety and maintenance activities, following significant modernization efforts completed in 2023.
Italian officials Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Adolfo Urso stated Italy’s government is interested in investing in advanced reactor developer Newcleo as part of the country’s plans to reintroduce nuclear energy. The two ministers confirmed their agreement on the government’s strategic interest in Italy’s participation in the development of innovative technologies in the nuclear sector, and a Reuters article reported that the Italian government could invest as much as $216 million in Newcleo. Newcleo’s delivery roadmap aims for its first prototype of its lead-cooled fast reactor to be ready by 2026 in Italy.
Italian defense company Leonardo, utility Enel, and Ansaldo Energia reached a deal to create a new company to study the use of nuclear power. Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said Enel will contribute with its expertise in managing nuclear power stations in Spain, while Leonardo could explore the use of nuclear energy in the military sector. Italy’s government approved a law earlier this year which paves the way for the country’s return to nuclear energy, which was banned by a referendum in 1987.
Türkiye is launching strategic programs to expand its capabilities in nuclear reactors and hydrogen energy, aiming to strengthen energy security and support industrial transformation through clean energy technologies. According to the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s “2030 Industry and Technology Strategy”, Türkiye is accelerating efforts to deploy nuclear energy and hydrogen technology as part of its broader green transition. Türkiye is currently building its first nuclear power plant at Akkuyu with assistance from Rosatom, and the first unit is expected to become operational later this year.
The Swedish government has proposed a new law regarding state support for nuclear power investments. The bill proposes providing state loans to finance four new nuclear reactors as well as a contract-for-different power price mechanism, with the government adding that several project companies may be eligible and there is the possibility for other private actors and the state to take shares in project companies. Sweden’s center-right coalition government has pursued a nuclear-friendly energy policy, with a roadmap envisaging the construction of new nuclear energy capacity equivalent to at least two large-scale reactors by 2035.
The Norwegian government has commissioned several agencies to develop an Environmental Impact Assessment program for the proposed power plant based on multiple small modular reactors in the municipalities of Aure and Heim. Norsk Kjernekraft said the assignment marks a significant step in developing practical guidelines for the application of Norway’s nuclear legislation and the first time it will be applied to commercial nuclear power. Nork Kjernekraft submitted a proposal to Norway’s Ministry of Energy for an assessment back in 2023 into the construction of a small modular reactor (SMR).
Site analysis reports, flood studies, and seismic side studies are being carried out for the JEK2 project for new capacity at the existing Krško Nuclear Power Plant in Slovenia, as well as technical feasibility studies by potential technology providers. The JEK2 project team said that Électricité de France (EDF) and Westinghouse will complete their studies in the third quarter of this year. In the latest update on the project, GEN energija’s chief operating officer Bruno Glase set out the status of the studies and said that the focus was on the siting of the new nuclear facility.
Estonia’s Fermi Energia and South Korea’s Samsung C&T have signed a teaming agreement to collaborate on the deployment of two BWRX-300 small modular reactors in Estonia. Under the teaming agreement, Fermi Energia and Samsung C&T will focus on key aspects of the project such as the formation of an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partnership, site constructability review, cost estimation, and financing strategies. In 2023, Fermi Energia selected GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR for potential deployment, with the first of two SMRs set to be operational by 2035.
Hungary’s Paks II Nuclear Power Plant is ready to pour its first concrete after completing excavation work at the site, but it is now awaiting permission from the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority. Although Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Péter Szijjártó previously stated that he expected first concrete to be poured in the first quarter of this year, TASS Russian news agency reported that the timeline has been adjusted following soil fracture inside the pit. The Paks II power plant will consist of two Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors, with Rosatom financing 80% of the project.
Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear power plant received its final shipment of Russian nuclear fuel following the early termination of its contract with Rosatom’s TVEL. The delivery will serve as reserve stock, with the plant already transitioning to U.S.-supplied Westinghouse fuel for unit 5. Kozloduy’s two Soviet-built VVER-1000 reactors, which generate roughly 34% of Bulgaria’s electricity, have undergone life extension programs to continue operating beyond their original decommissioning dates.
U.S. private fusion company Commonwealth Fusion Systems has completed the manufacturing of the 8 torus and cryopumps for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) tokamak. The components were manufactured in collaboration with Research Instruments and Alysmex, and ITER will test the cryopumps under real cryogenic conditions in the coming years. The ITER is a major international project to build a tokamak fusion device designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale carbon-free source of energy.
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Indian Minister of State Jitendra Singh has told the country’s parliament that the process has begun to discuss and propose amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act to encourage private companies to participate in nuclear projects. Singh also confirmed to parliament that the Department of Atomic Energy has set up committees to discuss and propose amendments to the two acts. India has plans for a rapid expansion of its nuclear energy capacity with plans to deploy 100 gigawatts in additional capacity by 2047.
India’s top power producer, NTPC Limited, is seeking global partners to build large nuclear reactors with about 15 gigawatts combined capacity, looking to set up pressurized water reactor technology-based nuclear power plants and commit to a lifetime supply of nuclear fuel. The partner will need to have clearance from concerned authorities in their country of origin as well as comply with Indian policies. Currently, state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India is the sole operator of India’s nuclear reactors, but the government is seeking to amend its nuclear liability law to boost foreign and private investment.
The U.S. Department of Energy has granted Holtec International regulatory approval to transfer its small modular reactor (SMR) technology to India. This approval permits Holtec to share unclassified SMR technology with three Indian entities in order to deepen India’s nuclear expertise, localize SMR manufacturing, and strengthen India’s position in the global SMR market. India and the United States continue to collaborate on civil nuclear energy under the 2007 India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement, but progress has been sluggish due to multiple legal and regulatory challenges.
International Energy Agency (IEA) Head Fatih Birol called on Japan to accelerate its efforts to revive some of its dormant nuclear power plants. Birol spoke following a tour of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, and he stated he plans on reiterating his message during meetings with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other Japanese officials. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has said that the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility is largely ready to resume operations, but it announced previously that it would delay the construction on required anti-terrorism equipment until 2029.
Japan’s Fukui Prefecture has approved the continued operation of three aging nuclear reactors—Mihama-3, Takahama-1, and Takahama-2—each in service for around 50 years. Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto accepted Kansai Electric Power’s revised roadmap for transporting spent nuclear fuel, which was a condition for ongoing operation. The roadmap includes shipping 400 tonnes of spent fuel to France for research and 198 tonnes to Japan's delayed Rokkasho reprocessing plant, expected to be completed by fiscal 2026. These reactors are among 12 that have resumed operations in Japan after meeting post-Fukushima safety standards.
A U.S. Department of Energy contract employee was terminated after attempting to take export-controlled nuclear reactor design software from Idaho National Laboratory to South Korea, prompting investigations by the FBI and DHS. This incident, along with other security violations by Korean researchers at DOE labs, led to South Korea being added to the DOE’s Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List (SCL), effective April 15. The designation will impose stricter access controls on Korean researchers. U.S. and South Korean officials discussed the SCL designation last month.
The sale of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under the AUKUS treaty faces new doubts as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs take hold, and amid concern in Washington that providing the submarines to Australia may reduce its deterrence to China. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that the United States’ ability to boost submarine production to meet U.S. Navy targets will be critical to whether Australia can buy three Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032. AUKUS is a multilateral partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom for the deployment of numerous nuclear-powered submarines.
As Australia prepares for its federal election on May 3, energy policy is a key focus, with nuclear power taking center stage in the campaigns. The Liberal-National Coalition supports the development of nuclear power, citing the need for cleaner and cheaper energy, while also criticizing the Labor Party’s reliance on renewables and green hydrogen. Prime Minister Albanese rejects the coalition's nuclear plans, advocating for renewable energy backed by gas, batteries, and hydro to meet Australia's 2030 energy targets.
Nuclear Energy Agency Director General William D. Magwood IV visited Mongolia for a series of meetings with government representatives and to participate in discussions on nuclear energy development in the country. Magwood met with Mongolian Minister of Energy Battogtokh Choijilsuren to discuss the potential deployment of small modular reactors (SMR) in Mongolia, as well as challenges in the nuclear energy sector relating to financing, supply chain disruptions, and workforce development.
| | Namibia, the world's fourth-largest uranium producer, is seeking to collaborate with Russia in nuclear energy to add value to its uranium resources. At the 'Russia-Africa: Nuclear Education—Potential for Successful Regional Development' forum in Moscow, Frednard Gideon, Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia, emphasized the potential benefits of partnering with Russia, viewing it as a reliable and equitable partner in this sector. This initiative aims to address concerns over the export of unprocessed uranium. | | Iran warned it may halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if external threats persist, following renewed military warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump. The warning comes just days before U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are set to begin in Oman. While Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian use, it has surpassed uranium enrichment limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from during his first term. | | |
Brazil's National Nuclear Energy Commission has granted Eletronuclear a 40-year extendable license to operate the Complementary Dry Storage Unit for spent fuel at the Angra nuclear power plant. The facility, which began operations in 2021, can accommodate up to 72 Holtec Hi-Storm FW dry storage casks, with the capacity to store fuel until 2045. The unit ensures the safe storage of used fuel, which Eletronuclear does not consider waste, as it could potentially be reused in the future. The facility meets stringent safety standards and includes advanced security and monitoring systems to protect workers, the public, and the environment.
Multinational repository developer DeepGeo and Argentinian reactor technology start-up Nuclearis signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate the integration of DeepGeo’s services as a solution for wastes generated by Nuclearis’s microreactor technologies. The two companies will also share information and jointly collaborate to promote nuclear energy adoption in emerging markets such as Africa. Nuclearis is currently developing its N1 microreactor design which is expected to be constructed underground and operate without refueling for at least 20 years.
| | North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy | | |
The Department of Energy has issued its first round of allocations of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) under its HALEU Availability Program to five American nuclear developers. The DoE made conditional commitments to TRISO-X, TerraPower, Kairos Power, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse after they met prioritization criteria, with three of them requiring fuel delivery in 2025. The HALEU Availability Program was established under the Energy Act of 2020 to ensure access to HALEU for civilian, research, demonstration, and early commercial deployment.
According to Santee Cooper director of nuclear development Steve Nance, large utility companies and tech giants have shown interest in a proposal to restart a pair of failed nuclear reactors at the VC Summer Nuclear Power Plant in South Carolina. Santee Cooper has received applications of interest from nearly 80 interested parties, with Nance adding that five of the “Magnificent Seven” large tech companies are among the respondents. South Carolina Electric & Gas was originally set to build two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at the VC Summer site, but the project was abandoned in 2017.
Industrial giant Dow and X-energy Reactor Company submitted a construction license application for the proposed advanced nuclear project at Dow’s Union Carbide Corporation Seadrift Operations site in Texas. Dow’s proposed small modular reactor (SMR) is being developed by its subsidiary Long Mott Energy to provide the Seadrift site with clean nuclear power and industrial steam. Dow was one of several tech giants and other companies that signed a pledge supporting the goal of at least tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and its nuclear partners must reapply for $800 million in federal funding for their small modular reactor (SMR) project in Oak Ridge after the Department of Energy revised the application to remove community engagement and equity requirements. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that new solicitation for applications will no longer require a “community benefit plan” and the focus is now on technical merit. TVA led a team that included Bechtel and the state of Tennessee to apply for funding from the DoE’s SMR program in January but will now need to reapply by the April 23 deadline.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Westinghouse’s Principal Design Criteria (PDC) Topical Report, which marks a key milestone towards licensing the company’s eVinci microreactor in the United States. PDCs define how each part of the reactor’s structures, systems, and components will function, and ensure that the design conforms to design bases outlined in NRC regulations. The eVinci is a microreactor that can produce up to 5 megawatts electrical, with the TRISO-fueled reactor core designed to run for 8 or more years before refueling.
Dozens of Westinghouse employees and supply chain partners traveled to Washington to build legislative support for new nuclear projects. The group arranged more than 80 meetings with their congressional delegations to educate lawmakers about nuclear energy and ask for support in deploying new nuclear reactors across the United States. Nuclear stakeholders are currently worried about losing investment and production tax credits as congressional Republicans look to reverse tax cuts that were included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Senate Armed Services Committee questioned the Trump Administration’s nominee to lead the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Brandon Williams, during his confirmation hearing. The representatives confronted Williams about the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) recent cuts to the NNSA’s workforce, as well as the agency’s ongoing struggle to recruit and retain its workforce to design, produce, and maintain the United States’ nuclear arsenal. The Department of Energy recently designated roughly 25% of the agency’s workforce as non-essential, which could compound the staffing problems created by the loss of 180 employees through the “Fork in the Road” resignation offer and those fired by DOGE.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Atomic Safety and Licensing Board rejected petitioners’ bid for a formal hearing on safety and licensing concerns raised by environmental groups and residents opposed to the restarting of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan. The NRC ruled that petitioners’ safety and regulatory challenges were not legally admissible despite petitioners’ argument that restarting the plant should require a new safety report. The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant was shuttered in 2022, but Holtec International plans on restarting the facility later this year.
Duke Energy announced that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved the license renewal of its Oconee Nuclear Power Plant in South Carolina for another 20 years. The renewed license will allow Oconee to operate through 2054, 20 years later than the initial contract that was set to expire in 2034. Oconee becomes Duke Energy’s first nuclear facility to receive approval to operate for 80 years, and the utility stated it is also planning to submit a license renewal application for its Robinson Nuclear Power Plant in South Carolina.
Texas state representative Cody Harris has authored and proposed House Bill 14, which proposes the use of public dollars to help fund nuclear construction, provide grants for reactors, and continue development research. The legislation would allocate up to $2 billion for a new Texas Advanced Nuclear Deployment Office and create within it a state coordinator position to assist in the state and federal permitting process. Texas currently has a pair of nuclear power plants at the Comanche Peak and South Texas sites, which provide almost 10% of the state’s electricity.
The Trump Administration has fired a second member of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors shortly after the previous dismissal of another board member. Board Chair Joe Ritch was removed from the board just days after fellow board member Michelle Moore was also fired at the direction of President Donald Trump. Without at least five members, the board does not have the authority to direct the TVA into new areas of activity, potentially delaying plans for the construction of a small modular reactor at TVA’s Oak Ridge site.
U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) startup Dee Fission and nuclear waste disposal firm Deep Isolation signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on managing spent fuel from Deep Fission’s proposed plants. The partnership will see the two firms explore the potential licensing and use of Deep Isolation’s borehole disposal technology for radioactive waste generated from Deep Fission’s underground nuclear reactor fleet. Deep Fission has plans to deploy SMRs approximately one mile underground.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers developed a new high-temperature testbed to advance research on nuclear thermal propulsion rockets. ORNL used a high-powered furnace to test a new zirconium carbide fuel and material coating in order to mimic the extreme heat and radiation conditions that nuclear fuels and materials will encounter in space. ORNL will now conduct post-irradiation analysis to assess the performance of its zirconium carbide fuel coating and will eventually scale up to test nuclear fuel-bed experiments.
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) debuted a new molten salt test loop that will support the development of advanced reactors that use molten salt and also support the world’s first salt-fueled reactor experiment at the INL that’s scheduled to begin in the 2030s. Researchers developed a new way to test materials by creating a molten salt test loop that more closely mimics a molten salt reactor. The new loop will inform the development of molten salt reactors such as the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), which is one of several advanced reactor designs being supported by the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP).
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The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved a construction license for Ontario Power Generation to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site. The license, valid until 2035, allows construction but not operation, which will require a separate future approval. The Darlington SMR is set to be the first of its kind in the G7 and is expected to generate thousands of jobs and have a significant economic impact.
AtkinsRéalis’ Candu Energy signed Preferred Vendor Agreements with eight companies to strengthen its nuclear supply chain. The agreements, tied to nearly C$500 million in orders year to date, aim to improve collaboration, reduce execution risk, and accelerate Candu reactor deployment in Canada and abroad. The move is expected to boost investment in Ontario, enhance export opportunities, and reinforce Canada’s position as a global leader in nuclear technology.
Westinghouse Electric and Celeros Flow Technology signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support nuclear new-build projects both in Canada and globally. Under the agreement, Celeros FT will design and fabricate valves and pumps for Westinghouse’s AP300 and AP1000 nuclear reactor projects. The announcement is the latest in a series of agreements with Canadian firms to support Westinghouse’s nuclear reactor projects, which could generate C$1 billion of Canadian dollars in gross domestic product (GDP) through local suppliers.
Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has begun early steps to identify a second deep geological repository to store intermediate-level and non-fuel high-level radioactive waste. This follows the selection of a site in northern Ontario for the country’s first repository, intended for spent nuclear fuel, which is expected to begin operation in the 2040s. The NWMO plans to launch consultations with Canadians and Indigenous communities in 2025 to help shape the site-selection process.
Westinghouse Electric and Chemetics Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support nuclear new-build projects in Canada and abroad. As part of this MoU, Chemetics will design and fabricate alloy or carbon steel vessels and heat exchangers for Westinghouse’s AP300 and AP1000 reactor projects. The Chemetics fabrication facility in Ontario provides numerous engineering, procurement, and construction services (EPC), including module fabrication and assembly and field-construction services.
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News items and summaries compiled by:
Patrick Kendall, Program Manager, Partnership for Global Security
Emily Day, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security
Jocelyn Livier, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security
| | For twenty-five years the Partnership for Global Security (PGS) has developed actionable responses to global security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.
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