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Greetings Patrick!
In this week’s newsletter, we examine how America can pump up its nuclear power politics at home and abroad. We spotlight a recent report by S&P Global that found a significant increase in private equity and venture capital investments in the advanced nuclear sector. 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.
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Pumping Up America's Nuclear Power Politics | |
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A longer version of this article was published by the Center for the National Interest and it can be found here.
President Trump dove into his new duties by declaring a national energy emergency and asserting that the United States will pursue energy dominance, including in nuclear power. But global nuclear power politics do not favor the United States at this moment, and it will take dramatic action by the new administration to disrupt the long-term drift toward semi-relevance in this important technology race. There are several steps that will remedy this situation.
1. Keep Russia Restrained and China Contained
Russia is the top global nuclear exporter and fuel provider. China leads the world in nuclear reactor construction. Both countries finance their nuclear industries, offer generous financial terms and credits to countries that select their technologies, and view nuclear exports as a geopolitical advantage. Russia’s dominance needs to be curtailed, and when it falls, China cannot be allowed to take its place. This requires that the U.S. expand its global nuclear energy market share for current and next-generation reactors around the globe.
2. Support America Unchained
To deploy reactors at scale, an effective strategy for the broad deployment of U.S. nuclear technology needs to be created. The U.S. government and industry (along with select allies) need to develop this roadmap rapidly and with clear metrics and objectives.
At home that means creative and committed financing that manages risk, incentives for utilities and hyper scalers to deploy nuclear energy, and steadily advancing the next-generation of nuclear technologies through the sticky regulatory and demonstration wickets.
Overseas, what is missing is a data-based approach that analyzes the energy, political, governance, and related metrics of a nation or region to identify which should be targets for U.S. nuclear technology and focus. The current metric of “engagements” (meetings, events, workshops) and the incremental process of “capacity building”, particularly in developing economy nations, have not led to concrete market commitments in nations that are best suited for American nuclear energy. Further, these nations will require significant technical and operational assistance from the reactor-supplying country to make the sale and ensure safe operation. Russia is willing to supply operators for the plants it exports, the U.S. nuclear export apparatus has no similar capability.
The current U.S. approach to nuclear deployment has to change and the Trump administration’s penchant for blunt force and unapologetic dismantling of the status quo may be what’s needed to juice this process.
3. Maintain High Nuclear Standards
There is significant international security danger in allowing one, or both, of the world’s leading authoritarian nations to dominate the global nuclear power market. At the very least, peril is posed by the less stringent nuclear security and nonproliferation standards of Russia and China. This has the potential to create crises through an accident, security breach, or clandestine nuclear weapon activity.
Historically, the major nuclear exporting nations have had the most impact on international security guidelines. So, failing to establish broad market share for U.S. (or allied) large and small reactors will decrease their influence over evolving nuclear nonproliferation and security rules and provide Russia and China with another avenue of global nuclear influence.
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Ken Luongo, President, Partnership for Global Security | | |
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Spotlight
A recent report from S&P Global found that private equity and venture capital investments in the advanced nuclear sector surged to a record $783.3 million in 2024—13 times the 2023 total—driven by the AI sector's growing energy demands. Traditionally, the deployment of nuclear reactors has fallen to utilities, but petrochemical manufacturing and the AI sector are driving recent interest. Major contributors to the increased level of investment have been top tech firms such as Alphabet, which partnered with Kairos Power LLC; Amazon, which partnered with X-energy and Dominion Energy Inc.; and Meta.
Government support through the ADVANCE Act, which streamlines licensing and reduces deployment costs, has further bolstered investor support. A defining moment for the sector was X-energy’s $500 million funding round, backed by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Ares Management, and NGP Energy Capital. Similarly, Zap Energy secured $130 million in Series D funding from Soros Fund Management, Chevron Technology Ventures, Shell Ventures, and others.
As private capital flows into advanced nuclear at an unprecedented pace, analysts see a significant shift in confidence in nuclear power as a scalable, clean energy source. One caution is that, so far, commitments to reactor deployment have not keep pace with the rising investments in technology development, and there are uncertainties about the sustainability of the nuclear-friendly financial components of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
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Emily Day, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | |
Issues of Special Interest | |
Global AI and Data Center Energy | |
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced private investments totaling $112.5 billion into the country’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. The project’s lead, FluidStack, aims to start work on the initiative in the third quarter of this year, with the goal of having 250 megawatts of power linked to AI computing chips by the end of 2026. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, France is also pledging to deploy 1 gigawatt of nuclear power in order to create a nuclear-powered AI computing project.
Following France’s hosting of a global summit on artificial intelligence, investors and experts said that the time needed to connect data centers to the electricity grid could blunt France’s advantage using its abundant nuclear power to lure billions of dollars of investment into AI. Anj Midha, a partner at U.S. firm Andreessen Horowitz, commented that construction of data centers in Europe is especially slow, and that the United States is far ahead on assembling these facilities in time. French President Emmanuel Macron has credited France’s reliable nuclear power with helping attract over €100 billion in AI investments as Europe races to catch up with the United States.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is looking at developing more concise requirements around the deployment of artificial intelligence. Senior data scientist Matt Dennis stated that the agency is in a change mode right now when it comes to embracing emerging capabilities. Although Dennis said that a review found that existing regulations are flexible enough to adapt to artificial intelligence, he added that it gets more nuanced when it comes to verifying the explainability and interoperability of AI to meet regulatory standards. Dennis added that the agency is currently undertaking an effort to determine if it needs to address “targeted areas” of AI use in the nuclear sector.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear (KHNP) has blocked all artificial intelligence services, including DeepSeek and ChatGPT, from its systems in order to prevent leaks of sensitive data and personal information. KHNP is the first state company in South Korea to take such action against DeepSeek, a Chinese AI developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek AI Research. Global concerns over DeepSeek’s potential data leaks to the Chinese government and weak privacy safeguards have led companies and agencies worldwide to limit its access.
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The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs | |
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A Russian drone struck the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, setting fire to the shelter that contains radiation from the site of the largest nuclear disaster in history. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the fire had been extinguished and no increase in radiation levels had been recorded. This drone strike comes after Ukraine accused Russia of launching a drone attack on a convoy of vehicles transporting IAEA experts heading to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as well as other Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Ukraine to inspect damaged power grid infrastructure and assess its impact on nuclear safety. Grossi toured the Kyivska electrical substation, which supports the Rivne, Khmelnitsky, and Chernobyl nuclear facilities, and praised efforts to maintain stability despite significant damage. He also discussed the completion of Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant units 3 and 4 with Ukrainian officials, reaffirming the IAEA’s support for Ukraine’s nuclear energy expansion and commitment to safety standards.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) postponed the rotation of its mission to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant due to a lack of security guarantees from Moscow, according to Ukraine's foreign ministry. Kyiv accused Russia of using intimidation tactics to undermine the agency's independence, while IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi announced plans to visit Russia to address the situation.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi held talks in Moscow with Russian nuclear officials, including Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, focusing on the safety of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Discussions centered on the delayed rotation of IAEA specialists due to security concerns, with both parties agreeing to resume the rotation in the coming days and continue regular contact.
The Ukrainian Parliament approved a $600 million purchase of two unused Russian nuclear reactors from Bulgaria to be installed at the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant. Supporters argue the reactors will strengthen Ukraine’s energy grid, which has been severely damaged by Russian attacks, while critics contend the project is costly, slow, and vulnerable to corruption within Ukraine’s energy sector. Before the reactors can be installed, however, the Ukrainian Parliament will need to pass a law for the project to continue. Currently, Ukraine relies on its three operational nuclear power plants to provide over 50% of the country's electricity, as thermal and hydroelectric plants have been destroyed or too badly damaged during the war.
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Global Nuclear Developments, Geopolitics, & Governance | |
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Russia successfully completed acceptance tests for the SRK Phoenix, an advanced fifth-generation radiation control system designed for the Chukotka nuclear icebreaker under Project 22220. Developed by Nauchno Proizvodstvennoi Predpriyatni (NPP) Doza with oversight from the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, the system showed no defects and will be installed at the Baltic Plant in St. Petersburg, where Russia’s nuclear icebreakers are built. NPP Doza will be responsible for supervising the installation, commission, and acceptance of the monitor, as well as taking part in the sea trials.
Rosatom's Technical Academy (RTA) is expanding its nuclear training programs to focus on two-component nuclear energy technologies, including fast neutron reactors and closed fuel cycle systems. Over 300 industry employees have participated in newly developed courses, with specialized training on the BREST-OD-300 lead-cooled fast reactor and mixed nitride uranium-plutonium fuel production. RTA is also considering cooperation with the Siberian Chemical Combine (SKhK) on theoretical training courses for operational personnel of the BREST-OD-300.
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team conducted an operational safety review of units 4 and 6 at Russia's Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant. The review highlighted a best practice: real-time electronic displays for hydrogen ignition risk during severe accidents. However, the team also recommended improvements in minimizing human error, maintenance quality, and monitoring of equipment conditions to enhance overall safety performance.
Russia launched a new project to remediate former uranium mining sites in Tajikistan, focusing on the Taboshar-3 site and other contaminated areas in the Sughd region. These efforts, funded by Rosatom, aim to address environmental and health risks posed by radioactive waste left from Soviet-era uranium processing. In 2023, Russia and Rosatom supported a project to reclaim the largest radioactive waste dump in Istikol. These rehabilitation projects are a part of broader international remediation efforts supported by the IAEA and the EU, with Tajikistan’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Safety & Security Agency recently designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre to strengthen regional nuclear security.
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A U.S. spy satellite has detected a massive laser fusion facility under construction in Mianyang, China, estimated to be 50% larger than America's National Ignition Facility (NIF). While laser inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a potential clean energy breakthrough, it also allows for nuclear explosion simulations, raising concerns over its military applications. China's secrecy around the project has fueled speculation that it could be part of a technological arms race, potentially giving Beijing an advantage in nuclear weapons development and fusion research. | |
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Belgium’s new government announced plans to expand the country’s use of nuclear energy, aiming for a 4 gigawatt share in the country’s electricity mix. According to a coalition agreement, plans will aim to “restart” Belgium’s nuclear industry and see the operating life extension of existing nuclear power plants and the construction of new reactors in the coming years. Belgium has seven commercial nuclear reactors, of which two stopped operations in 2022 and 2023 respectively as part of a previously planned nuclear phaseout policy.
An IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission has praised Spain’s commitment to nuclear and radiation safety and said it has successfully implemented numerous recommendations made by agency experts. The IAEA team concluded that 12 recommendations and 20 suggestions made during the original mission had been adequately addressed, with achievements including the development of a human resource plan, strengthening the safety culture of the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), and ensuring CSN’s effective collaboration with Spain’s Autonomous Communities.
A group of 14 European business federations have published a joint declaration announcing their commitment to strengthening the European nuclear industry. The alliance mobilizes economic actors to defend the place of nuclear energy within the European Union and make Europe a decarbonized and sovereign economic power. It has four focus areas: removing barriers and fully implementing technology neutrality, securing access to private and public funding, accelerating the industrialization of the nuclear sector and fostering a robust nuclear ecosystem in Europe, and supporting the development and renewal of skills.
Westinghouse Electric has proposed the installation of small modular reactors at decommissioned nuclear sites in Italy. Westinghouse commercial sales manager Fabio Presot unveiled plans to utilize Italy’s four decommissioned nuclear sites for SMR deployment, with construction activities expected to begin by 2030. This initiative aligns with the Italian government’s plans to revive the country’s dormant nuclear energy sector as it looks to reintroduce nuclear power by the end of 2027. Italy currently has a ban on nuclear power dating back to a referendum in 1987.
The United Kingdom’s government announced plans to reform planning rules and regulatory processes as part of measures to streamline the process of constructing new nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMR). The reforms include allowing new plants to be built anywhere in England and Wales beyond the existing 8 nuclear sites specified in current planning rules, as well as creating a clear path for SMRs to be built for the first time. Developers will also be encouraged to bring forward sites as soon as possible at the pre-application stage in the planning process.
According to the first annual progress update on the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Plant project, the project is reportedly on time and on budget. The update outlines the progress made since the project received its Development Consent Order (DCO) one year ago. The assessment concluded that the Sizewell C project has high chances of avoiding the pitfalls that led to significant scheduled and cost overruns on many other nuclear projects. The Sizewell C nuclear power plant is being led by Électricité de France (EDF), which plans for Sizewell C to feature two European Pressurized Reactors (EPR) producing 3.2 gigawatts of electricity.
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy has signed nuclear power memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Boccard and Cavendish Nuclear to develop advanced and small modular reactors in the United Kingdom. The MoUs highlight GE Hitachi’s aim to work with British suppliers, leveraging their expertise in the construction and delivery of nuclear power plants, as it continues to progress through Great British Nuclear’s (GBN) SMR selection competition. The BWRX-300 is a small, water-cooled reactor which GE Hitachi hopes to start construction on sometime in the middle of the decade.
British nuclear start-up First Light Fusion is closing in on a £60 million ($74.5 million) funding deal for its “projectile fusion” technology, which sees a 5p-sized projectile fired at extremely high speeds using electro-magnets into nuclear fuel to set off a powerful reaction. First Light has been in advanced talks with its current investors, who include Chinese technology company Tencent and London-listed IP group, as well as potential new backers. Earlier this month, British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced the government had earmarked £410 million ($509.5 million) to various nuclear fusion projects over the next two years.
Poland’s General Director for Environmental Protection issued the scope of the environmental reports for Orlen Synthos Green Energy’s (OSGE) planned small modular reactor (SMR) projects in Włocławek and Ostrołęka. With this approved scope, OSGE can begin the environmental and siting research for its SMR projects. OSGE originally submitted its application to the General Director for Environmental Protection in May 2023 to determine the scope of the report on the environmental impact of the construction of the two locations, which will feature BWRX-300 SMRs.
Dutch construction firm BAM Bouw en Techniek has started construction of a new production hall at Urenco’s uranium enrichment plant in Almelo. Urenco and BAM signed the implementation agreement on the construction of Hall 8 in July of last year, and BAM expects to complete construction work in the summer of next year. Urenco announced plans to increase the capacity at its Almelo plant by 15% in 2023 with a project that will see new centrifuge cascades installed at the site, which will add 750 tons of separative work units (SWU) per year.
Swedish technology developer Blykalla broke ground for the construction of an electrical small modular reactor pilot facility. This pilot facility, supported by a SEK99 million grant from the Swedish Energy Agency, will validate key components and safety systems of the lead-cooled reactor. In January, Blykalla selected NCC AB to be in charge of construction, as well as site preparation and necessary installations. The first phase is expected to be completed in June with operation beginning in the early 2030s.
Norsk Kjernekraft and Norconsult partnered to promote the development of nuclear power projects in Norway. This collaboration aims to combine Norsk Kjernekraft's focus on small modular reactor (SMR) technology with Norconsult's expertise in large-scale project consulting. The partnership intends to develop responsible decision-making for future energy needs, potentially leading to concrete nuclear power projects, as Norsk Kjernekraft has several agreements of intents on investigating nuclear power with various municipalities.
French microreactor developer Naarea announced the commission of its industrial test facility and laboratory, referred to as the I-Lab. The facility will host a team of around 20 Naarea engineers as well as experimentation facilities to validate the non-nuclear environment of the technologies that will be used in Naarea’s microreactors. Naarea added that its ultra-compact molten salt fast neutron reactor will use the untapped potential of used radioactive materials and thorium from unused uranium waste. Naarea expects the first units of its XAMR to be produced by 2030.
India and France signed a Declaration of Intent to establish a partnership on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). The two countries also renewed a memorandum of understanding between India’s Department of Atomic Energy and the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives of France (CAE). The agreement strengthens ongoing civil nuclear cooperation, including the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant project and collaboration on nuclear research, development, and professional training. The Jaitapur NPP, once completed, will be the most powerful nuclear plant in the world, with an installed capacity of 9.6 GWe. India aims to develop at least 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047, including through the development of the Bharat SMR.
Turkey has begun the start-up and testing phase of the onshoring pumping station of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant unit 1. The pumping units for the main cooling water supply and pumps connected to the back-up diesel power supply are now undergoing load tests following test runs of the main cooling water pumping units. Turkey and Russian nuclear agency Rosatom are currently building the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Turkey’s first nuclear plant, under Rosatom’s build-own-operate (BOO) model. The aim is for unit 1 to begin supplying energy to Turkey’s electrical grid by the end of the year.
A new European research project, named EU-CONVERSION, has been launched with the aim of accelerating the conversion of high-performance research reactors by testing candidate low-enriched uranium fissile materials. EU-CONVERSION is considering the conversion of Germany’s FRM-II research reactor and the proposed French material test reactor Jules Horowitz. The participants in the $13.3 million project include Framatome, Belgium’s Nuclear Research Centre, Technicatome, as well as numerous European universities.
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India plans to amend its liability law to attract foreign and private investment in its nuclear sector and has launched a $2.3 billion Nuclear Energy Mission to deploy at least five domestically developed small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2033. The plan also includes amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act in order to encourage private sector participation. The government aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, up from the current 6.9 GW, with plans to add 18 more reactors by 2032.
India's Tata Power is interested in developing small modular nuclear reactors following the government's recent decision to open the sector to private investment. CEO Praveer Sinha stated that the company is awaiting further details on liability, technology, foreign partnerships, and fuel sourcing. India, currently at 8 GW of nuclear capacity, aims to reach 20 GW by 2032. Sinha also noted signs of recovery in power demand, predicting peak demand to rise from last year's 250 GW to 265-270 GW due to an intense summer.
Vietnam plans to hold talks this month with foreign partners on developing its first two nuclear power plants. State utility EVN and oil and gas firm PetroVietnam have been designated as investors for the projects, with Vietnam set to discuss cooperation with partners that include Russia, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States. Vietnam had originally approved the 4 GW nuclear plants in 2009 but shelved the plans in 2016 after the Fukushima disaster and budget constraints.
Indonesian official Hashim Djojohadikusumo announced that Indonesia plans to build nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 4 gigawatts as part of its push for cleaner energy, despite its reliance on coal and vulnerability to earthquakes. Djojohadikusumo added that Indonesia would also be building floating small modular reactors (SMR) although did not provide a timeframe or specify how many. Indonesia is currently the world’s biggest thermal energy exporter, but the current government hopes to operate nuclear plants by 2036.
South Korea will provide 150 billion won ($103.1 million) worth of financial support this year to support businesses in the nuclear power plant industry. The fund will be used to support the local nuclear power plant ecosystem with an aim of strengthening the competitiveness of Korean companies amid growing demands for electricity caused by the AI boom. South Korea is currently working to construct the third and fourth reactors at the Shin-Hanul Nuclear Power Plant by 2032 and 2033 respectively, as well as nuclear power projects abroad.
South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model using small modular reactor (SMR) technology. HD KSOE says the newly unveiled design model features enhanced economic efficiency and safety by incorporating actual equipment and safety design concepts. Previously, HD KSOE obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping for a 15,000 TEU-class container ship design model applying SMR technology.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) signed a 10-year enriched uranium supply contract with U.S. nuclear fuel supplier Centrus Energy Corporation. Centrus noted that the contract is contingent upon securing sufficient public and private financing to build low-enriched uranium (LEU) production capacity in Piketon, Ohio. KHNP said the contract enables it to diversify its sources of enriched uranium for nuclear power generation and enhances the stability of its fuel supply.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) will begin dismantling welded water tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on February 13 to clear space for storing highly radioactive fuel debris. The tanks, which have stored 1.3 million tons of treated water since the 2011 meltdown, are key to advancing the plant's decades-long decommissioning process. TEPCO started releasing the filtered water into the Pacific Ocean in August 2023, a move supported by the IAEA but met with backlash from neighboring countries.
Kansai Electric Power presented a proposal to Fukui Prefecture to double the amount of spent nuclear fuel it will ship from its nuclear plants in the prefecture to France. The draft also included a proposal to postpone the start of spent fuel shipments to a reprocessing plant under construction in the village of Rokkasho. Storage facilities for spent fuel at Kansai Electric’s nuclear plants have reached around 90% of their capacity.
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Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has called for investment in uranium beneficiation and nuclear power, particularly during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. As a key player in Namibia’s uranium industry, China has already invested in water infrastructure to support its mining operations. Namibia is currently a major producer of uranium, with 3 operational mines providing 10% of the world’s uranium mining output. | |
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The United Arab Emirates is using satellite technology to monitor and protect its Barakah nuclear power plant—the Middle East’s only commercial nuclear facility—from climate-related risks. Since September, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre have been tracking environmental threats like rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. The Barakah plant is located in the desert and the sea, which supplies water to cool the plant, is warming.
The UAE's Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, stated that China's DeepSeek, or other energy-efficient AI technologies, will not impact the growing demand for nuclear energy. Despite Deep Seek’s AI model reducing computing power needs, Al Mazrouei emphasized that nuclear power remains essential for the country’s energy diversification and long-term security.
The Egyptian House of Representatives approved amendments to the financing agreement between Egypt and Russia for the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The terms, which were reviewed by various committees, aim to align the $25 billion Russian loan with the project’s construction timeline. El Dabaa, featuring four VVER-1200 reactors, is expected to be fully operational by 2030, with Rosatom providing fuel, training, and operational support.
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The United States and El Salvador signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco overseeing the agreement. The MOU aims to advance peaceful nuclear cooperation, focusing on enhancing energy security, fostering economic growth, and upholding nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation standards.
Brazilian nuclear power plant operator Eletronuclear has announced cost-saving measures which it says are aimed at improving the current governance model and enabling the continuation of projects such as the Angra 3 nuclear plant. The company hopes that the measures will help improve the economic viability of completing the Angra 3 project. Eletronuclear is currently awaiting a government decision on completing Angra 3, whose work on the plant has experienced numerous delays since 2010.
Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) has given authorization for Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) to seek an international buyer for 5.7 tons of triuranium octoxide (U3O8) enriched to 3.2% uranium-235. Following this decision, the plan is to stage an open competition to achieve the highest price, thus expanding INB’s business opportunities in the global nuclear sector. Once the potential buyer is confirmed, INB will need to obtain an export license from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy | |
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The Senate has confirmed Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy by a vote of 59 to 38. At his confirmation, Wright said his top priority was to “unleash” domestic energy production, including liquefied natural gas and nuclear power, while also stating that he would work tirelessly to support President Trump’s energy agenda. In his order outlining the Department of Energy’s priorities under the Trump administration, Wright stated that the Department will support emerging nuclear power technologies, as well as prioritize nuclear fusion and advanced nuclear in its research and development programs.
Ten U.S. states have joined the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative which will explore ways to bring down nuclear project costs and meet the rapidly growing power needs in the United States. The 10 states have committed to devising supportive market adoption policies, defining supply chain needs, streamlining federal permitting, and creating public-private partnerships. The states that are part of this partnership are New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proposed an additional $92.6 million state investment in its nuclear sector, with the centerpiece being a $50 million investment in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s project to build the nation’s first small modular reactor at the Clinch River site. TVA wants to provide the model of public-private partnerships as it builds SMRs at Clinch River, with TVA also applying for a Department of Energy grant to support the development of GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 design. The proposed investment also includes $20 million in federal grants matching entities seeking DoE or National Science Foundation research funding, an additional $10 million for the state’s nuclear energy fund, and $10 million to support nuclear workforce education programs.
Georgia Power filed its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which proposes power uprates for four units at its Hatch and Vogtle Nuclear Power Plants. The 2025 IRP details the company’s plan to meet the energy needs of customers and support the state’s continued growth, proposing extended power uprates at units 1 and 2 of its Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant and Hatch Nuclear Power Plant. In order to meet a projected increase of more than 2,200 MWe in peak demand by the end of 2030, it plans to add a total of an additional 112 megawatts of electrical capacity at these four units.
U.S. fusion energy developer Type One Energy signed a cooperative agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to jointly develop plans for a potential fusion power plant using Type One Energy’s stellarator fusion power technology. Type One said the fusion pilot power plant, known as Infinity Two, offers a complementary source of base load electrical generation for the region as early as the mid-2030s. The cooperative agreement builds on the Project Infinity, which was first launched last year.
Constellation Energy will spend $100 million to upgrade the equipment and electrical systems at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Maryland. The investment highlights the company’s aspiration to keep the plant’s two reactors operational for years to come, with additional improvements potentially increasing production by roughly 10%. The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant has two nuclear reactors at the site which provide around 40% of Maryland’s power generation.
GE Hitachi will invest over $50 million at its nuclear fuel manufacturing plant in Wilmington, North Carolina. The investment is intended to enhance the safety, quality, and productivity of the site, as well as help launch a new-generation nuclear fuel design for GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor. This latest investment is part of GE Vernova’s recently announced plans to invest nearly $600 million in its U.S. facilities over the next two years.
Small modular reactor (SMR) firm Kairos Power has completed the design, construction, and installation of the reactor vessel for its second non-nuclear Engineering Test Unit. Through the test unit, Kairos aims to demonstrate that its Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR) technology is ready for action. The reactor is the first fabricated in-house at Kairos Power’s Manufacturing Development Campus in New Mexico. The test unit’s installation also represents a contract milestone under Kairos Power’s Technology Investment Agreement with the Department of Energy through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP).
Kairos Power, Natura Resources, Terrestrial Energy, and Aalo Atomics signed agreements to build their reactors at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS site. The land has been offered to the four companies to build small modular reactors (SMR) at the site, with an application already started for an Early Site Permit with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The proposed site is projected to accommodate multiple SMRs with a combined electrical output of more than 1 gigawatt. A key aim of the Energy Proving Ground project is to create a world-leading base for nuclear science.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published its final environmental impact statement for the proposed subsequent license renewal (SLR) for Oconee Nuclear Power Plant’s Units 1, 2, and 3. The NRC concluded that there are no adverse environmental impacts to preclude the renewal of Oconee’s operating licenses for an additional 20 years. The agency will now consider the safety and environmental reports in making a final decision on extending the licenses from 60 to 80 years.
Arizona’s 3 largest utilities, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, and Tucson Electric Power, are teaming up to explore ways to meet rising demand for electricity through the expanded use of nuclear energy. The utilities jointly announced that they have been monitoring emerging nuclear technologies, saying they will consider small modular reactors (SMR) as well as large reactors and will assess a range of possible locations. Arizona currently has one nuclear power plant, the Palo Verde Generating Station, while the three utilities envision a new power plant within the next 15 years.
Focused Energy and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) announced the signing of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to develop a model simulating the behavior of low-density foams wetted with liquid deuterium and tritium during implosion in the pursuit of achieving commercial nuclear fusion energy. The agreement supports the Department of Energy’s INFUSE project, which seeks to accelerate research for the development of cost-effective, innovative fusion energy technologies in the private sector.
Authorities with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stated that returning uranium fuel to the nuclear vessel and generating power at the closed Palisades Nuclear Power Plant would have no significant impact on the environment. NRC officials released a critical environmental report about Holtec’s plan to repower the plant that has been shut down since 2022. The agency’s draft environmental assessment analyzes various environmental and public health factors, and it is now open for public review.
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Canada’s NexGen Energy CEO Leigh Curyer said the company is in advanced talks with several U.S. nuclear utilities to sell more uranium from a $1.6 billion mine it plans to build in Saskatchewan. NexGen is one of several firms racing to develop projects in northern Saskatchewan’s uranium-rich Athabasca region and was previously awarded its first contracts to supply 5 million pounds of uranium to multiple U.S. nuclear utility companies. Curyer’s announcement comes as the threat of steep tariffs on metals such as uranium have created trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Bruce Power has begun the start of its Major Component Replacement outage at the Bruce 4 nuclear reactor. This outage is part of the project to renew six units to extend the operating life of the Ontario plant. Unit 4’s refurbishment outage will last three years, and successive refurbishments will build on the experiences and lessons learned from previous ones. The $9 billion refurbishment project is Canada’s third largest infrastructure project, Ontario’s largest clean-energy infrastructure project, and is being funded through private investment.
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There are no new updates for this region. | |
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Risk Perception and the Nuclear Future
Nuclear Engineering International, February 13
Power Play: The Economics of Nuclear vs. Renewables
Forbes, February 12
Renewables and the Role of Nuclear
Nuclear Engineering International, February 12
Turkey’s Clean Power Plans Hinge on the Dawn of Its Nuclear Age
Reuters, February 12
India Wants to Embrace Nuclear Power. To Do It, It’ll Need a Lot of Time and Money
AP News, February 11
Securing Energy Independence: The US Path to Resilient Enriched Uranium Supply Chain
The Atlantic Council, February 11
There’s A Long Road Ahead for Arizona Utilities’ Plans for More Nuclear Energy
Axios, February 11
Our Energy Crisis Has a Nuclear Solution
Real Clear Energy, February 11
Texas Takes Giant Steps Toward Nuclear Energy Dominance
Real Clear Energy, February 11
Nuclear Power and the Future of American Digital Dominance
The National Interest, February 10
Trump’s Fossil Fuel Agenda Hands the Future of Energy - And U.S. Competitiveness - To Beijing
The National Interest, February 10
How China Became the World’s New Nuclear Energy Superstar
The Huffington Post, February 9
An Open Letter to Chris Wright
American Nuclear Society, February 6
IEA’s Fatih Birol on the State of Nuclear Energy Advancement Around the World
The Atlantic Council, February 6
Could This Startup’s Nuclear Reactors Revolutionize Cancer Detection?
Tech Crunch, February 6
Project Financing and Funding of Nuclear Power in the US
Womble Bond Dickinson, February 6
Going Nuclear: Why AI Will Lead the Next Energy Transition
Power Mag, February 4
Achieving Critical Mass: Trump Administration Policies That Would Strengthen Nuclear Energy
The National Interest, February 3
DeepSeek Is Not the Biggest Threat to Plans for SMRs to Power Data Centers
Neutron Bytes, January 31
DeepSeek Is Coming for Sam Altman’s Other Company Too
Tech Xplore, January 30
Trump’s High Stakes Nuclear Agenda
Nuclear Engineering International, January 29
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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
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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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