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Greetings Patrick!
In this week’s issue, we examine the political chaos besetting U.S.-South Korea nuclear energy cooperation and offer three emerging opportunities for changing the bilateral cooperation dynamic. We spotlight the recently published roadmap for the Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI) and how it seeks to accomplish its numerous objectives through engaging stakeholders and strengthening the global nuclear supply chain. 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.
| | Advancing a New Era of U.S.-ROK Nuclear Cooperation | | |
A longer version of this article was published by The Center for the National Interest and it can be found here.
The nuclear energy policies of Washington and Seoul are caught in unprecedented political upheaval. President Trump’s tariff tear is creating international economic chaos. And the recent removal of Yoon Suk-Yeol as South Korea’s president is fueling the seemingly perpetual political churn in Seoul.
Both actions can undermine the ability to dominate the global nuclear energy market at home and abroad because the U.S. and Korean nuclear industries are deeply entwined.
A new presidential election in Korea must be held before June 3, and likely will result in the election of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party. It’s energy policy is to reduce Korea’s reliance on nuclear power and focus on renewables backed by natural gas.
However, it may be difficult for Lee to completely backtrack on Yoon’s aggressive pro-nuclear goals. South Korea has endorsed the pledge to triple nuclear energy globally by 2050. It is moving forward with two new reactors at home. And Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has been chosen to build two new reactors in the Czech Republic, estimated to be worth over $17 billion.
This is Korea’s first reactor export contract since 2009, when it won the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tender. The two countries worked well together on the Barakah nuclear project where Westinghouse was a major subcontractor, earning about $2 billion by providing components, engineering support, and project support. New Westinghouse reactors in Poland and Bulgaria will provide lucrative opportunities for Korean subcontractors.
This mutual dependency in reactor deployment has been the norm to date. But there is now the opportunity to move beyond this collaboration structure and forge a new nuclear cooperation construct based on opportunities emerging from the evolving international energy environment.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has the potential to create a new dimension of U.S.-Korean nuclear cooperation in a third country. The U.S. was on track to complete a major strategic agreement with Israel and Saudi Arabia that included American support for the kingdom’s nascent nuclear power project, but it was torpedoed by the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Trump plans to make his first overseas trip to Saudi Arabia in May and that may be the springboard for a resurrection of the nuclear cooperation deal.
Energy Secretary, Chris Wright recently indicated that a U.S.-Saudi commercial nuclear power deal is possible, including a potential resolution of the sensitive issues “that involve [uranium] enrichment here in Saudi Arabia.” He noted that, “It’s critical that it becomes the United States as the partner,” to prevent Saudi nuclear dependence on Russia or China.
U.S. support for Saudi civil nuclear power would be prohibited without an agreement for nuclear cooperation between the two countries, which has never had a high probability of success for a variety of political and international security reasons.
However, Saudi officials positively viewed the UAE-Korea cooperation at Barakah, and a ROK lead in the kingdom’s nuclear project with U.S. subcontract support is possible. It would be politically and legally complicated because the Korean reactor still needs a U.S. export license based on its American components. But there could be a creative technical and political path forward if the 123 agreement negotiations fail.
AI Data Centers
A second opportunity is for Korea to cooperate with American firms as they build new reactors on U.S. soil. Major tech companies and states are jumping on the opportunity to deploy nuclear energy to power AI and its data centers.
If the demand for nuclear-powered data centers moves from concept to reality, there will be a growing need for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) support. This is an area where Korea and the United States could change the game on nuclear cooperation.
Korea is an efficient EPC nation, building the four reactors in the UAE essentially on time and within budget, and at a much lower unit cost than U.S. reactors. If U.S. reactors were to be built out for AI data centers, as well as other applications, there is a question of whether it would have enough EPC capacity.
This is where Korea and the United States could come to cooperate on U.S. soil in an unprecedented way. It would be more difficult with exotic-fueled advanced reactors, but probably doable if Westinghouse’s AP-1000, AP-300, NuScale’s VOYGR, or Holtec’s SMR-300 are shovel ready.
Innovative Financing
The third opportunity is for collaborative innovative finance for nuclear deployment.
The 2024 ADVANCE Act relaxes the previous legal ban on majority foreign ownership of U.S. nuclear facilities. This opens the opportunity for joint U.S.-Korean (and perhaps other allied nations) financing and control of these new reactors.
America has gone on a massive nuclear power spending spree over the last five years. Billions of dollars have been allocated to developing new reactors, creating the fuels that they run on, restarting shut-down reactors, keeping existing ones operating, and supporting U.S. reactor exports. But not as much is allocated to promoting reactor deployment.
The commercial financial markets remain hesitant to support nuclear deployment due to a number of obstacles, and neither the U.S. nor South Korea have committed the scale of sovereign capital to compete with Russian and Chinese state financing.
Both governments need to move beyond their current nuclear support systems and consider combining financing to limit risk.
The Korean nuclear industry is already substantially subsidized by the government. The U.S. seems to be keeping the Loan Programs Office alive for nuclear projects and the Department of Energy recently re-issued a $900 million solicitation focused on deploying Gen III+ and light water SMRs. It offers the biggest payout to “first movers” and “fast followers” to stimulate reactor deployment at scale. But the funding is not adequate for market gains.
This is where the U.S. and Korean governments could collaborate on a financing plan, creating an overarching political commitment to financially support nuclear deployment at a steady pace and then identifying the financing on a deal-by-deal basis.
These are examples of the dimensions of new nuclear cooperation that can pull American and Korean nuclear policy out of the current chaotic political undertow and advance their collective strength in nuclear deployment for the remainder of the century.
| | Ken Luongo, President, Partnership for Global Security | | | | |
Spotlight
The Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI)—a partnership between the Clean Air Task Force, EFI Foundation, and Nuclear Threat Initiative—has unveiled a global roadmap to deploy more than 50 GW of safe, secure nuclear energy annually by the 2030s. The strategy reimagines how nuclear energy is constructed, financed, and regulated, with an initial focus on the United States and Central and Eastern Europe. To achieve this, NSI promotes the formation of regional “buyers clubs” to pool demand, create multi-unit reactor order books, and assist stakeholders in choosing technologies that are both proliferation resistant and deployment ready.
One significant issue that has plagued the nuclear energy industry is cost overruns and regulatory delays. To address this issue, NSI will promote risk-sharing models, harmonize regulatory frameworks, and strengthen supply chains and workforce capacity. The United States currently has strong bipartisan support for nuclear energy, motivated by the rising demand for electricity from artificial intelligence. In Central and Eastern Europe, energy security and industrial competitiveness have become imperatives to economic growth, and nuclear energy is one answer. Both regions are dealing with aging nuclear infrastructure. The strategy proposed by NSI aims to provide a workable route for quickly and efficiently expanding clean, dependable nuclear power, supported by strong nonproliferation principles, and to ensure that global security remains a central element of nuclear growth.
| | Emily Day, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | | Issues of Special Interest | | Global AI and Data Center Energy | | |
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied a request from Talen Energy to reconsider a decision that blocked an Amazon data center adjacent to Talen’s Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania from ramping up its power use. Members of the FERC voiced their concern about how the Amazon data center might affect power reliability and costs for the general public. In November, the FERC rejected Talen’s request to increase power supplied to the Amazon data center beyond 300 megawatts, and the FERC is still considering establishing broader rules governing co-location as it becomes an increasingly popular choice for data center developers.
Sam Altman is stepping down as chair of the board of the nuclear startup company Oklo after bringing the company public through a merger in 2024. The move will give Oklo more flexibility to potentially explore partnerships with Altman’s company, OpenAI, and other hyper-scalers amid data center companies’ push to secure adequate power. Oklo is currently developing advanced nuclear reactors like the Aurora powerhouse reactor, and previously signed an agreement to provide up to 12 gigawatts of nuclear power for data center company Switch in December of last year.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a measure that would have waived certain state regulations to allow data centers and other large industrial energy users to build small nuclear reactors in rural Arizona. Hobbs stated that while she is supportive of conversations around the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, she opposes providing broad exceptions for a technology that has yet to be commercially deployed anywhere else in the United States. House Bill 2774 would have let large industry users build small nuclear reactors in their facility without having to get a certificate of environmental compatibility and would be exempt from local zoning restrictions in rural Arizona.
| | The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs | | |
Bulgaria has abruptly reversed its decision to sell two unused Russian nuclear reactors to Ukraine, following political pressure from the pro-Russian Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). The reactors were initially intended for the abandoned Belene project and had been greenlit for sale to Ukraine, which could use them at its Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant. Despite prior support from Bulgarian leadership, the BSP declared the reactors a strategic national asset, securing a unified government stance against the sale.
Ukraine is working to repair damage to the Chernobyl nuclear plant’s containment vessel after a Russian drone strike punctured the structure in February. Officials say the arch, installed in 2019 to contain radiation from the 1986 disaster, partially lost functionality and could pose safety risks if not restored. Experts from Ukraine, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and others are assessing the damage, with initial findings expected in May.
| | Global Nuclear Developments, Geopolitics, & Governance | | |
Despite a deadly earthquake and ongoing civil war, Russia’s Rosatom confirmed it will move forward with plans to build a small modular nuclear reactor in Myanmar. The agreement includes two 55 MW RITM-200N reactors that Rosatom claims meet strict seismic standards, though Myanmar is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. The project's timeline and exact location remain undisclosed.
Russia plans to build a four-unit nuclear power plant for hydrogen production in Tatarstan’s Mendeleevsky district, with construction expected to begin in 2028 and full operation by 2035. The project, led by Rosatom and currently in the R&D stage, will anchor the new Alabuga-Mendeleevsk special economic zone and could attract up to $6 billion in investment. The facility will produce 400,000 tons of hydrogen annually, primarily to support chemical manufacturing at the nearby Ammonium-2 plant.
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China has successfully operated a thorium-powered molten salt reactor (MSR) in the Gobi Desert, achieving full-power operation and the world's first reactor reload while still running. Thorium reactors offer a safer and less weaponizable alternative to uranium, with molten salt systems significantly reducing meltdown risks. The Chinese project builds on declassified U.S. research from the 1940s–50s, originally intended for nuclear-powered aircraft.
China is considering building a nuclear power plant on the moon to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) it is planning with Russia. In a presentation in Shanghai, the mission’s Chief Engineer Pei Zhaoyu showed that the lunar base’s energy supply could depend on both nuclear and solar power. China aims to become a major space power and land astronauts on the moon by 2030. Russia’s space agency Roscosmos also said last year it planned to build a nuclear reactor on the moon with China by 2035 to power the IRLS.
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced the first of four main pumps has been installed at the ACP100 small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project under construction at the Changjiang site. The shielded main pump of the ACP100 is a single-speed vertical pump which was produced by Hainan Nuclear Power and Harbin Electric Equipment. CNNC initially announced the launch of a project to construct an ACP100 SMR at the Changjiang site back in 2019, with the first concrete poured in 2021. Once completed, the Changjiang ACP100 will be capable of powering 526,000 households.
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GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR have submitted their final tender responses as part of Great British Nuclear’s ongoing small modular reactor (SMR) selection competition. Westinghouse withdrew from the competition. GE Hitachi is putting forward its BWRX-300 and the Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe pressurized water reactor. Last September, Great British Nuclear entered negotiations with four shortlisted companies and issued an Invitation to Submit Final Tenders in February. Shortly after GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR, Holtec announced it submitted its final tender response to Great British Nuclear.
Great British Nuclear (GBN) will launch a tender to procure up to two owner’s engineers as part of its small modular reactor (SMR) program. GBN said that the owner’s engineer will provide essential independent assurance to the Intelligent Customer and Intelligent Client for the relevant SMR project and support the deployment of first-of-a-kind nuclear technology in the United Kingdom. GBN added that the total value of the contracts is £600 million ($799 million), with the duration of these contracts envisaged to be 14 years.
The United Kingdom Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has published its first report on international regulatory collaboration on small modular reactors (SMR), outlining how it is working with international counterparts to create more efficient approaches to reactor design assessment. Among the key achievements the report highlights are the signing of a trilateral memorandum of cooperation with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in 2024. The ONR added it has also invited five European nuclear regulators to observe the Rolls-Royce SMR assessment process.
TerraPower has formally notified British regulators that it plans to begin the generic design approval process for its Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor. The company said it has submitted a letter to the United Kingdom’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) that formally establishes its intention to enter the U.K. Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, the process issued to scrutinize designs for new nuclear power stations at an early stage. The Natrium technology features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system.
Nuclear energy developer GE Hitachi stated that the United Kingdom needs to set out plans to build 20 mini nuclear reactors if it wants to secure factories that will make the components for the nascent technology. GE Vernova chief executive Maví Zingoni said that if Britain sets out a long-term vision for microreactor deployment, then it would make complete sense for GE Hitachi to build its factories there which would solidify the entire nuclear supply chain. GE Hitachi is one of the front-runners in Great British Nuclear’s competition to select SMR designs and could share in up to £20 billion in funding from the British government.
Framatome signed a contract with Sizewell C to supply over 8,000 conventional field instrumentation systems for the two EPR nuclear reactors under construction in Suffolk, England. These systems are essential for monitoring and controlling key plant functions and ensuring safe, continuous operation. The deal builds on Framatome’s existing contracts for Sizewell C and reflects the project’s strategy of replicating Hinkley Point C’s design to accelerate construction and reduce costs.
Framatome opened a new fuel fabrication facility in Romans-sur-Isère, France, focused on producing fuel for research reactors and medical isotope targets. The upgraded CERCA workshop includes a modernized “uranium zone” with advanced safety and security systems to support rising global demand. With more than 65 years of expertise, CERCA supplies nearly all European research reactors and plays a key role in global nuclear medicine by supporting 75% of technetium-99m scans worldwide.
The Czech Republic’s Office for the Protection of Competition has dismissed Électricité de France’s (EDF) appeal against the process used to select Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for new nuclear power capacity in the Czech Republic. The Office’s chairman, Petr Misna, confirmed the initial ruling that EDF could not object under the terms of the Public Procurement Act because the contracting authority Dukovany Power Plant II proceeded on the basis of the safety exception to the act. The Czech Republic announced KHNP as the preferred bidder for building up to four new nuclear reactors at the existing Dukovany and Temelín nuclear plants in 2024.
The European Commission has opened a four-week call for evidence with plans to adopt a final document on nuclear energy investment needs in the second quarter of this year. The new Nuclear Illustrative Program (PNIC) will try to facilitate coordinated development of investments in the EU nuclear sector and outline investment needs for the construction of new nuclear reactors and life extension for existing nuclear plants, the management of used fuels and radioactive waste, and the development of new technologies. Some of the top concerns include supply chain vulnerabilities and the need to avoid future reliance on any single or unreliable supplier.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Polish companies must receive $14.05 billion from the value of building Poland’s first nuclear power plant after calling for the “repolonization” of the country’s economy. Poland is currently working to introduce nuclear energy as part of a policy of reducing its reliance on coal. It previously chose Westinghouse Electric to build its first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site on the Baltic coast.
Hyundai E&C is broadening its presence in the European large-scale nuclear power plant construction market, expanding its reach to Slovenia and Finland. Hyundai E&C announced it was selected as a contractor for the Early Works Agreement (EWA) for Finland’s new nuclear power plant project with Fortum. Hyundai E&C is also participating with Westinghouse in Slovenia’s nuclear power project, with the Hyundai-Westinghouse consortium and Électricité de France (EDF) selected as final candidates for suppliers for this project early this year.
Türkiye has finished installing the main circulation pumps for the second unit at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, meaning that all the main equipment is now in place at Akkuyu Unit 2. The four main circulation pump units are used to ensure circulation of coolants in the primary circuit of the reactor core. Akkuyu is set to be Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant and is being built by Rosatom under its build-own-operate (BOO) model. Construction on the power plant’s first unit began back in 2018.
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien met with representatives of Westinghouse to discuss Armenia’s nuclear energy sector. The U.S. embassy in Yerevan stated that U.S. companies have deep expertise and innovative technology that would benefit both countries. This January, Armenia and the United States signed a strategic partnership document which includes a provision for initiating negotiations on a 123 nuclear cooperation agreement. Armenia currently operates the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant which consists of four reactors.
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India is planning to amend its nuclear liability laws to cap accident-related penalties on equipment suppliers, aiming to attract foreign firms, especially U.S. companies like General Electric and Westinghouse, that have hesitated due to the unlimited risk. The draft law would limit supplier liability to the value of the contract and align India's regulations with international norms, placing safety responsibility on the plant operator. This move is part of India's broader strategy to expand nuclear power capacity 12-fold by 2047 and strengthen trade ties with the United States. The current law, rooted in the aftermath of the 1984 Bhopal disaster, has effectively excluded Western companies from India’s nuclear market.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) has presented a purchase order for the contract to build Kaiga units 5 and 6 to Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd. (MEIL). The $1.5 billion engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the two 700 MWe nuclear reactors is the biggest order ever placed by NPCIL and also marks MEIL’s first major step into the nuclear energy sector. Kaiga 5 and 6 will be the first of ten Indian-designed 700 MWe pressurized heavy water reactors to be built using a fleet mode of construction, with excavation works beginning in 2022.
Pakistan held a ceremony to mark the final acceptance of unit 3 at the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant, which is a Chinese-designed Hualong One unit. Karachi Unit 3 is the second Chinese-supplied Hualong One reactor at the site, with both units being the first exports of CNNC’s 1,100 MWe pressurized water reactor. Construction on Unit 2 began back in 2015, with Unit 3 beginning construction the following year, and Unit 3 was connected to the national grid in 2023. Pakistan is also working on building another Hualong One reactor at the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant.
The Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency has shortlisted four companies to supply reactors for its first nuclear power plant. Kazakhstan held negotiations between February and March with representatives from Rosatom, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Électricité de France (EDF), and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Astana will now set up a commission to examine the offers with a decision expected by the end of the year. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer of uranium, and it has designated the Zhambyl district as the site for its nuclear power station.
Kazatomprom has signed a seven-year agreement with the Czech Republic’s CEZ Group to supply natural uranium concentrate for the Czech nuclear conglomerate. The deal will see Kazatomprom supply a third of the uranium needs for the Westinghouse fuel assemblies used at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is seeking to diversify its uranium supplier portfolio in order to secure the independence of its nuclear energy sector, with Temelín’s previous uranium fuel being supplied by Russian nuclear fuel cycle company TVEL.
The Philippines' largest power company, Meralco, has signed a two-year agreement with France’s EDF to explore nuclear energy deployment, focusing on feasibility studies, technical training, and potential project management. This partnership supports the Philippine government's goal of achieving greater energy security and marks the start of Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) initiative. Meralco has also partnered with international universities and institutions to build capacity and develop future Filipino nuclear energy professionals.
Preparatory construction work has begun on auxiliary buildings for Uzbekistan’s small modular reactor (SMR) project in the Jizzakh region, based on Russia’s RITM-200N reactor technology. The construction and assembly facilities will include administrative and industrial buildings for the entire period of the project. The project, signed with Rosatom in 2024, will feature six units and aims to provide 330 MW of nuclear power, with the first unit expected to go critical by late 2029. This also marks Russia’s first export order for its RITM-200N SMR design.
Vietnam has approved its revised National Electricity Development Plan (PDP8) through 2030, which now includes the development of nuclear energy, aiming for a nuclear capacity of 4 to 6.4 GW by 2035. The $136 billion plan also targets major expansions in wind, solar, and LNG-fired power, with total installed capacity projected to reach up to 236 GW by 2030 and up to 839 GW by 2050. Vietnam is renewing its interest in nuclear power after suspending its program back in 2016, with the first proposed nuclear power plants coming online between 2030 and 2035.
A consortium led by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has been awarded a $10 million contract by the University of Missouri for the design and licensing of its planned new research reactor. The Korea-US University of Missouri Research Reactor Consortium has been contracted for the design studies phase to develop the roadmap for the new reactor comprising KAERI, Hyundai Engineering Company, and MPR Associates. The University of Missouri launched an initiative in 2023 to build the NextGen research reactor.
Australian ship design group Seatransport and US-based Deployable Energy are collaborating with UK-based professional advisory service Lloyd’s Register to develop nuclear power generation for applications such as strategic response vessels in remote areas. The project envisages using micro modular reactor (MMR) technology, with two to five MMRs of 1 MWe capacity powering an amphibious vessel, which would enable the ship to operate 8-109 years without refueling. This follows a previous report from Lloyd’s Register that concluded nuclear power could transform the maritime industry with emissions-free shipping.
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Ghana has signed a framework agreement with U.S.-based NuScale and Regnum Technology Group, along with Chinese and Japanese partners, to pursue both small modular and large nuclear reactors, though no formal contracts have been finalized yet. Ghana aims to add 1 GW of nuclear power to its grid by 2034 and is working with the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a training center in Accra to support workforce development. Nuclear Power Ghana previously signed an agreement in 2024 with U.S. nuclear technology company Regnum Technology Group to deploy a NuScale VOYGR-12 SMR.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) to expand nuclear cooperation in Africa. The agreement aims to foster cooperation in various fields such as nuclear manpower training, nuclear power plant development, and resource procurement related to nuclear energy projects. At the 2025 African Nuclear Industry Business Forum, KHNP President Hwang Joo-ho added that several other African countries such as Egypt, South Africa, and Uganda are also considering nuclear cooperation with South Korea.
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The Trump administration is reportedly pursuing a deal with Saudi Arabia to support the development of a commercial nuclear power program, which could eventually include uranium enrichment on Saudi soil. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright added that he expected to see meaningful developments later this year. The agreement may be part of a step toward reviving efforts to normalize Saudi-Israeli relations, following earlier attempts.
The United Arab Emirates and South Korea have agreed to pursue joint overseas nuclear power projects as part of an expanded partnership on nuclear energy. The deal was reached during talks in Abu Dhabi, where both sides also committed to broader collaboration on nuclear fuel supply chains, reactor maintenance, and scientific research. The agreement builds on their success with the Barakah nuclear plant and signals a shift toward a more diversified, long-term energy cooperation.
China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held their first forum on the peaceful use of nuclear technology in Chengdu, hosted by the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). The event brought together officials and experts from China and all GCC countries to discuss clean energy, nuclear safety, and joint innovation. China also signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to strengthen collaboration on nuclear safety, non-proliferation, and emergency response, as well as to collaborate on joint efforts such as training programs, technical cooperation, and the creation of a bilateral working group.
Rosatom has begun developing a local area network (LAN) for the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant in Egypt, which will serve as the plant’s digital backbone. The network will connect all systems, sensors, and workstations while remaining fully isolated from external connections to ensure cybersecurity and operational stability. Designed for scalability and long-term reliability, the system aligns with international standards and supports El Dabaa’s development, with full plant operation expected by 2030.
| | There are no new updates for this region. | | North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy | | |
The Defense Department has selected eight technology developers that are now eligible to seek funding as part of the Advance Nuclear Power for Installations program that seeks to provide fixed on-site microreactors at U.S. military installations. The companies chosen are Antares Nuclear, BWX Technologies (BWXT), General Atomics, Kairos Power, Oklo, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse, and X-energy. The Advance Nuclear Power for Installations program’s objectives include to work to design, license, build, and operate one or more microreactor nuclear power plants on military bases and to field a de-scalable microreactor system capable of producing enough power to meet 100% of critical loads.
A Tennessee Valley Authority-led coalition has submitted an application for the revised federal funding to support the deployment of small modular reactors (SMR). The Department of Energy’s Generation III+ SMR program aims to spur the first deployments of SMRs in the United States with up to $800 million to go to two “first mover” teams. DoE updated the previous grant criteria in March and asked applicants to reapply. In addition to the TVA-led coalition, Holtec also announced that it was submitting its application for SMR program, which will be centered around its plans to deploy two SMR-300 reactors at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced the release of the third loan disbursement to Holtec International for the reopening of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan. The third disbursement of loans, amounting to $46.7 million, comes from the Loan Programs Office since the original announcement of its financial loan for the Palisades restart in September 2024. The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant is set to be the United States’ first restart of a commercial nuclear reactor that ceased operations, but it is still subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approvals.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has submitted its notification of intent to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of submitting its construction permit application for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) unit at its Clinch River nuclear site. The NRC must approve the plans before construction can begin on the SMR, and TVA will then have to submit an application for an operating license once construction is complete. The BWRX-300 technology is being developed by GE Hitachi, and TVA is also working with GE Hitachi, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and Orlen Synthos Green Energy to develop a standard design of the BWRX-300.
BWX Technologies (BWXT) has acquired 97 acres of land in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with plans to establish an advanced centrifuge manufacturing capability. The acquisition is a signal of BWXT’s intent to support future defense missions by supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and deployment of the Domestic Uranium Enrichment Centrifuge Experiment (DUECE) technology. The NNSA previously awarded BWXT a year-long engineering contract to evaluate options for deploying a centrifuge pilot plant that would also inform future potential work at the site.
More than 2,600 Department of Energy staffers have opted to take the Trump administration’s second round of resignation offers, with most of the staff resignations coming from the Grid Deployment Office and the Loan Programs Office. These officials are responsible for maintenance of the U.S. power grid and offering low-interest financing to projects on renewable energy and nuclear power respectively. In response, 30 policy think tanks, clean energy companies, and nuclear energy firms sent a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright arguing that spending reductions and staff reductions would damage the Loan Programs Office’s critical role in financing domestic energy projects such as those relating to new nuclear generation.
South Korean company Hyundai Engineering & Construction said that U.S. tariffs could drive up costs for the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant revival. The company stated that if tariffs increase expenses for the builder, those costs will subsequently be passed on to the owner and lead to higher electricity prices for consumers. The looming prospect of tariffs also has Hyundai E&C re-evaluating its procurement plans for supplies. Another big concern for both Hyundai and Holtec International is the threat of losing tax credits from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.
Two surveys have found that support for nuclear energy is at a near all-time high among U.S. citizens surveyed. A public opinion poll by market research firm Savanta found that 40% of respondents in 23 states surveyed supported nuclear energy with only 27% opposing, as well as every state surveyed showing net support for nuclear energy. A separate poll conducted by Gallup found that 61% of people surveyed nationally favored the use of nuclear energy, with 29% of U.S. adults “strongly” supporting nuclear energy and an additional 32% “somewhat favoring nuclear power.
Westinghouse Electric Company’s lead test assemblies filled with LEU+ fuel have been loaded into Unit 2 of the Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant in Georgia, the first for such fuel in a U.S. commercial reactor. The advanced fuel is enriched to 6% uranium-235 and was developed through the Department of Energy Accident Tolerant Fuel Program to help improve fuel safety and lower operational costs. The lead test assemblies will now undergo testing for the next 4 ½ years at Plant Vogtle and be examined after each fuel cycle.
A research team led by GE Hitachi Nuclear successfully tested a modular steel-concrete composite that could significantly reduce the cost of building nuclear reactor containment structures. The Diaphragm Plate Steel Composite (DPSC) test specimens were tested at Purdue University’s Bowden Laboratory, demonstrating the potential for this advanced fabrication and construction technology to lead to cost savings and improved project schedules in the deployment of small modular reactors (SMR). The Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) is currently evaluating a proposal from GE Hitachi to build a portion of a reactor containment building using the DPSC design.
Louisiana has joined Texas, Utah, and nuclear startup Last Energy’s lawsuit against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) alleging that the NRC’s regulations are hindering the deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technology such as small modular reactors (SMR). The states want a rule called the Utilization Facility Rule nixed, arguing that it is being applied in an arbitrary fashion that hamstrings development of advanced nuclear technologies. The lawsuit also details that Last Energy has invested tens of millions of dollars in developing the technology for SMRs.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued its final safety evaluation approving the Fuel Qualification Methodology (FQM) Topical Report for the advanced fuel design to be used in NANO Nuclear’s KRONOS micro modular reactor (MMR) energy system. The approved FQM defines the regulatory framework and testing approach for the qualification of its Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuel. The KRONOS MMR is a 15 MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that uses tri-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel in prismatic graphite blocks.
NANO Nuclear Energy is launching a recruitment initiative focused on the Midwest region to support its plans for the construction, demonstration, and regulatory approval for full-scale KRONOS micro modular reactor (MMR) Energy Systems in the United States and Canada. In tandem with the upcoming geological characterization work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), this workforce buildout will consolidate the expertise and provide the personnel necessary to complete the construction permit application and begin construction on the first KRONOS prototype at UIUC.
The Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 14 which creates the Texas Advanced Nuclear Deployment Office and establishes a Nuclear Permitting Coordinator to support the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies in Texas. One amendment was offered during the second reading of the bill which adds to some of the criteria that the Texas Advanced Nuclear Deployment Office will consider when awarding grants. House Bill 14 will now be referred to the Senate, where it must pass that chamber, then the two chambers must reconcile difference before going to the Governor’s desk.
Multiple Republican energy bills in Indiana dealing with incentives for nuclear power have progressed following key votes in the state House and Senate. Senate Bill 423 would form a small modular reactor (SMR) pilot program intended to attract interested developers to bring nuclear power to Indiana, and Senate Bill 425 addresses the transitions of coal-fired plants into natural gas or SMR nuclear sites. On the other hand, senators removed contentious provisions from House Bill 1007 that intended to boost SMR development, including a 20% sales tax credit for SMR manufacturers.
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Energy Alberta proposed the Peace River Nuclear Power Project in northern Alberta, featuring up to four large CANDU MONARK reactors with a total capacity of 4,800 MW. The project is now under preliminary review by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, with public comments open until May 14. This proposal aligns with Canada’s broader push to triple nuclear capacity by 2050, complementing other major initiatives like Ontario’s SMR expansion and potential Xe-100 deployments in Alberta.
Despite its British parent company entering administration and seeking a new buyer, Moltex Energy Canada signed a Service Level Agreement with Canada’s nuclear regulator to advance its Waste To Stable Salt (WATSS) nuclear waste recycling technology. The agreement ensures continued regulatory engagement with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency, supporting early feedback on safety and non-proliferation compliance. Moltex recently validated its WATSS process using spent CANDU fuel and is moving forward with engineering and safety analysis for a commercial facility.
Westinghouse Electric Company and the University of Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of agreement to accelerate the deployment of Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor in Saskatchewan. Under the agreement, the two sides will explore collaboration opportunities for the technical development and deployment analysis for the eVinci technology. The eVinci is a heatpipe-cooled microreactor which can produce up to 5 MWe and is powered by tristructural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel. Additionally, Westinghouse also signed a memorandum of understanding with McMaster University for the deployment of the eVinci microreactor.
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The Trump Administration Says It Wants a “Nuclear Renaissance”. These Actions Suggest Otherwise.
Grist, April 24
How to Define Nuclear Success
The Breakthrough Institute, April 23
Nuclear Power and Proliferation: Rising Energy Demand and Global Security Risks
Council on Foreign Relations, April 22
Is Wisconsin Having a Nuclear Energy Moment?
The Cap Times, April 22
U.S. Nuclear Power Is Switched On, but China Is Charged Up
Marketplace, April 22
The Nuclear Race to Power the AI Economy
American Enterprise Institute, April 21
Can We Please Stop This Nonsense About What’s the Best Source of Energy?
American Nuclear Society, April 21
Nuclear Power Is Booming. Where Will We Put the Waste?
Fast Company, April 20
Big Tech Is Going Nuclear. Could Diablo Canyon be Used to Power AI in SLO County?
The San Luis Obispo Tribune, April 18
The Department of Defense’s Breakthrough Nuclear Moment Risks Slipping Away
War on the Rocks, April 18
Nuke, Baby, Nuke? The What and What Now of Small Modular Reactors
The National Interest, April 17
The U.S. Needs to Kick Russia Out of Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants ASAP
The National Interest, April 17
The US Is Facing Unprecedented Load Growth. Here’s How We Ensure Resource Adequacy
Utility Dive, April 17
The U.S. Imports Virtually All Its Uranium for Nuclear Power
Cipher News, April 16
With Trump’s Support, Nuclear Energy Eyes of Revival
Cipher News, April 16
Trump Is Sabotaging His Own Nuclear Agenda
Heatmap, April 16
Power for AI: Easier Said Than Built
Bloomberg NEF, April 15
Why Nuclear Energy Developers Are Suing Federal Regulators
Reason, April 15
Could More Nuclear Power Be Part of Florida’s Future Energy Portfolio?
The Florida Phoenix, April 14
Why We’re Suing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission – and Still Believe in Nuclear Regulation
Power Mag, April 14
Inside America’s Next Nuclear Power Revolution – As Energy Makes a Comeback
The New York Post, April 13
Depleted Uranium Batteries Could Turn Waste into Power
IEEE Spectrum, April 12
Will Palisades Be the “Comeback Kid”?
American Nuclear Society, April 11
Is Britain Finally Going Nuclear?
The Spectator, April 11
Nuclear Power Is Back. And This Time, AI Can Help Manage the Reactors.
The Wall Street Journal, April 11
Setting Up the Next Phase of U.S.-UAE Nuclear Cooperation
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, April 11
The AI Infrastructure Race Hits a Political Reality Check
Utility Dive, April 10
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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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