Greetings Patrick!

In this week’s newsletter, we provide an infographic updating the United States’ Nuclear Cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (NCMOU) following the recent agreements signed with Malaysia and Bahrain. We spotlight the updates to the Nuclear Energy Agency’s new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard and highlight some of its primary functionalities. 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, Mackenzie Hansen and Gabriela Zanko.

This infographic illustrates the timeline of Nuclear Cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (NCMOUs) signed between the United States and various countries. It highlights key partnerships, beginning with the UAE and in 2008 and extending to the most recent agreements in 2025 with Malaysia and Bahrain. Each year in the infographic represents when a specific country formalized this agreement with the U.S. The trend has been to develop cooperation with developing economy countries outside of the OECD. NCMOUs are used by the U.S. to establish a bilateral foundation for civil nuclear energy engagement with other countries. The NCMOUs are not a substitute for legally binding 123 nuclear cooperation agreements but are step toward that agreement as they allow the U.S. and partner country to explore collaboration on civil nuclear energy.

Ken Luongo, President, Partnership for Global Security

Spotlight

The Nuclear Energy Agency has launched the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard, a digital and interactive platform to track the development of SMR technologies around the world. The Dashboard assesses the progress of SMR technologies in the areas of licensing, siting, financing, supply chain readiness, engagement, and fuel availability. The launch iteration includes assessments of 74 SMR technologies around the world, and its functionalities also provide the opportunity to review the assessments of each design and filter data by design concept, configuration, fuel type, and project objectives.

Prior to publication, the SMR designers were consulted by the NEA and provided with a list of the sources used to compile the assessment. They were also given the opportunity to comment on the draft assessments and submit additional information. The initial data set will also be published in the forthcoming publication entitled The NEA Small Modular Reactor Dashboard: Third Edition, which will be presented during a public webinar on July 22.

Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security

Issues of Special Interest

Global AI and Data Center Energy

Westinghouse announced it will collaborate with Google Cloud to use artificial intelligence tools to streamline construction of new nuclear power plants and enhance the operations of existing nuclear plants. Under this agreement, the two companies will pair Westinghouse’s HiVE and the Bertha nuclear AI solutions with Google Cloud technologies and expertise aiming to optimize new nuclear deployment of Westinghouse’s AP1000, AP300, and eVinci reactor models. Westinghouse introduced the HiVE System last year as a generative AI system built on more than 75 years of proprietary data, knowledge, and expertise.

Japanese company Hitachi Ltd. has developed a new Metaverse Platform for Nuclear Power Plants that leverages a metaverse and AI technology which it claims will streamline nuclear power plants’ safety enhancement, new plant construction, maintenance, and decommissioning. The platform recreates nuclear power plants in the Metaverse using high-precision point cloud data and 3D CAD data. The new platform also embodies the Lumada 3.0, which was developed by Hitachi and GlobalLogic and uses Hitachi’s domain knowledge and AI.

Texas company Fermi announced it is talking with data managers on leasing agreements for its “hypergrid” project in Amarillo as it looks to build four Westinghouse AP-1000 nuclear reactors next to its existing Pantex nuclear weapons plant. Fermi said in its application that it is engaging in talks with hyperscaler big tech companies on letters of intent and term sheets. Fermi added that the nuclear complex will also be eligible for financing from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.

The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reported that the agency’s experts at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant heard “hundreds of rounds of small arms fire” for about an hour. The team noted that the large number of shots had been unusual, and they had seen numerous small caliber casings lying scattered on the ground near Zaporizhzhia units 5 and 6. The IAEA has been stationed at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant since September 2022 as part of safety and security efforts.

Ukrainian nuclear enterprise Energoatom is pushing ahead with plans with Westinghouse to create a plant for the production of fuel assemblies in Ukraine and with Holtec for manufacturing plants for SMRs and for storage containers for used nuclear fuel. The agreements were signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy and are described as steps helping Ukraine achieve energy independence from Russia. Westinghouse is already planning to supply nine of its AP1000 reactor units to Ukraine and also recently chose Atomenergomash as a qualified supplier for manufacturing top and bottom nozzles for Westinghouse fuel assemblies.

The Russian administration reported via Telegram that Ukrainian drones attacked the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant training center on the evening of July 13th. The IAEA also reported the sound of rounds being fired on July 12th. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that a drone attack on the plant violates both the Seven Indispensable Pillars for nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict and the Five Principles for the ZNPP.

In early July, drone and missile attacks by Russia resulted in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant losing power and required the activation of 18 emergency diesel generators. The IAEA is prepared to deal with such interruptions in the power supply of the plant as this is now the 9th incident since the beginning of the invasion in 2022. Director General Grossi stresses that the situation is fragile and has repeatedly called for both sides to refrain from any attacks on nuclear energy infrastructure.

The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced that the scale of damage and the complex radiological environment at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant suggest the total cost of the emergency works could exceed €100 million. Already, €42.5 million has been pledged for repair work. The giant New Safe Confinement shelter over Chernobyl unit 4 was damaged by a drone in February. The EBRD signed a grant agreement with the Chernobyl plant to fund a project that will assess the damage and develop a plan of emergency repairs to the outer cladding.

Russia

Russia and Mali signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of peaceful applications of nuclear energy. The agreement covers areas such as the creation of nuclear energy infrastructure, isotope production, and the training of nuclear specialists. Mali’s Presidential Office released a statement highlighting how the agreement on nuclear energy development will allow Mali to be more independent with respect to its energy production capabilities. Strategic cooperation between Russia and Mali was also strengthened via two additional agreements, one creating the Intergovernmental Russia-Mali Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and the other laying the foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries.

Rosatom’s Director General Alexei Likhachev announced that the Kola Nuclear Power Plant will be the first to house four 600 MW water-cooled reactor (VVER-S) units, providing greater flexibility in unit power outputs. Two units are scheduled to be built between 2027 to 2037 while an additional two are to be built in the future with no concrete timeline at this time. The Kola II installations are expected to assist with regional economic development and provide reliable energy in the Arctic conditions of regions such as the Republic of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula.

Unit 5 of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant has entered the preparation stage for construction. The sodium-cooled BN-1200 fast reactor is part of Rosatom’s project to develop fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle whose mixed oxide (MOX) nuclear fuel will be reprocessed and recycled. Russian nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor plans to complete construction on Beloyarsk unit 5 by 2034, and it is purported to be the world’s most powerful operating fast neutron reactor once completed.

Russian nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor granted the Kalinin nuclear power plant a 19-year extension on its operating license, which is now set to expire in June 2044. This is the second extension the plant has received as its first extension for operation was granted in 2014 with an expiration date in 2025. The plant consists of two V-338 model VVER-1000 units and two 950 MWe V-320 model VVER-1000 units and provides a reliable supply of energy to central Russia. The plant was found to be compliant with all safety standards following an inspection of the facility and on-going modernization work being carried out to ensure safe operation of the plant.

Rosatom approved a project timeline for two new VVER-1000 units to be constructed at the Primorskaya Nuclear Power Plant. Current plans indicate Fokino as a possible location for the units and the timeline aims for commissioning one unit in 2033 and the other in 2035. The units are part of Russia’s energy development program to 2042, which has set a goal of deploying an additional 40 units within a 17-to-18-year time frame. The new units are expected to contribute positively to economic growth in the region by creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, and encouraging business development.

China

Following an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission to China in July 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that while China has a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for nuclear safety, the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) requires increased staffing and resources to oversee the expanding nuclear fleet. The IAEA recommended strengthening regulatory capacity, including in areas such as inspections and emergency preparedness, to ensure continued effective oversight as the number of facilities grows. This was a follow-up of a previous IRRS mission to China in 2016, and China has expanded its nuclear energy fleets from 32 nuclear reactors 59 currently in operation.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) successfully positioned the reactor pressure vessel for unit 1 of the Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant in China’s Liaoning province. The milestone is a critical step towards completion of the 1250 MWe CAP1000 reactor unit, at the site which is projected to house an additional CAP1000 unit and two VVER-1200 reactors. China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration issued a construction license for Xudabao units 1 and 2 in 2023, with CNNC noting that the total investment of these two units will exceed $4.4 billion.

Just one year after construction began, China has produced the first barrel of natural uranium from its National Uranium No. 1 demonstration project in the Inner Mongolia region. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) initially broke ground for the project in July 2024 and is set to be the country’s largest domestic uranium mining project. China currently aims to produce one-third of its uranium domestically, obtain one-third through foreign equity in mines and joint ventures in other countries, and purchase one-third on the open market.

Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy signed a letter of intent with China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) to cooperate on energy transition efforts, sustainability, and the peaceful and sustainable use of nuclear mineral resources in Brazil. According to Brazil’s government, the agreement aims to facilitate cooperation in areas including uranium resource development, research and development, and sustainable use of nuclear materials. The agreement is part of a broader framework for collaboration on clean energy technologies between the two countries.

Europe

French nuclear utility Électricité de France (EDF) expects to spend €6 billion ($7.05 billion) on extending the life of 20 of its domestic nuclear reactors after getting the go ahead from the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). The ASN stated that EDF could proceed with upgrading safety standards at its 1300 MW reactors so they could operate beyond their original 40-year lifespan.

The council for the Aube Department region in France has provided its approval to sell a plot of land to French nuclear reactor developer Newcleo for its mixed-oxide fuel manufacturing facility. The project would represent an initial investment of $2.1 billion, with the first production line scheduled for 2030. Newcleo originally contracted Orano for feasibility studies on the establishment of a MOX production plant back in 2022, with Newcleo planning to directly invest in this plant in order to fuel its small modular reactors (SMR).

Great Britain and the Czech Republic announced they will work together to explore opportunities for deploying small modular reactors, a partnership that could see Rolls-Royce SMR export up to six of its units to the Czech Republic. Last year, Czech electricity producer CEZ announced it would take a stake of about 20% in Rolls-Royce SMR. The British government pledged £2.5 billion last month to build the United Kingdom’s first SMRs, with Rolls-Royce as a lead vendor.

French nuclear utility Électricité de France (EDF) will invest around £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion) in the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Plant in Great Britain, thereby giving it a 12.5% stake in the project. Great Britain’s government has already committed around £17.8 billion to the project but continues to look for additional investors. The British government is seeking to build new nuclear power plants to replace its aging facilities as part of its strategy to bolster energy security and meet its climate target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Technical consultancy company Equilibrion published its assessment which identifies 21 potential sites for nuclear power development across the Midlands region of Great Britain. While the exact locations of the sites have not been specified, the report provides high-level descriptions of each site, outlining their unique characteristics and their potential to support upwards of 20 gigawatts of nuclear generation capacity. They are all greenfield or brownfield sites, with six of them able to host gigawatt-scale reactors, and almost all of them able to host multiple small modular and advanced modular reactors.

Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ) officially notified the European Commission about its investment project involving Poland’s first nuclear power plant in accordance with its obligations under the Euratom Treaty. The European Commission originally launched its investigation into whether the planned public support for Poland’s first nuclear power plant complies with EU rules on state aid in 2024. Poland selected Westinghouse to build the country’s first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in 2022, with the aim of Poland’s first reactor entering commercial operation in 2033.

Senior U.S. State Department advisor Justin Friedman stated that U.S. financing agencies are ready to support nuclear energy projects in Türkiye but are waiting for viable proposals before moving forward. Friedman added that agencies such as the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation would be interested in financing small modular nuclear power plants in the country. Türkiye is currently building its first nuclear power plant in collaboration with Russian nuclear agency Rosatom and is also planning large-scale power plants at sites in Sinop and Thrace.

Lithuania’s State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant will collaborate with Newcleo on assessing the possibilities of applying advanced fast reactor technology in the country. Through the memorandum of understanding, the partners will consider the potential role of Newcleo’s small modular lead-cooled fast reactor in providing economically viable and safe energy solutions in Lithuania. Lithuania previously operated the Ignalina Power Plant but closed the power plant in 2009 as a condition for joining the European Union, although Lithuania’s 2024 National Energy Independence Strategy called for a decision on the installation of SMRs to be made by 2028.

Finland and Sweden have begun working on pre-licensing activities for the deployment of GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactors. Finnish energy company Fortum announced earlier this year that it had selected the BWRX-300 and aims to deploy reactors in the 2030s. The decision to deploy more nuclear reactors is a result of a feasibility study that Fortum launched in October 2022 to assess the opportunities for nuclear energy growth. In an effort to meet rising energy demands in the coming decades, Fortum has also signed early work agreements with two conventional reactor technology providers: Électricité de France (EDF) and Westinghouse Electric.

Terrestrial Energy and NRG-Pallas are starting the final phase of the graphite irradiation testing program for Terrestrial’s molten salt reactor at the High Flux Reactor in the Netherlands. NRG-Pallas is providing technical services to support Terrestrial Energy for “in-core” materials testing and development of its Integrated Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) power plant. The testing program is designed to confirm the predicted performance of selected graphite grades throughout the 7-year cycle of the IMSR.

Belgium’s Federal Agency for Nuclear Control has given the go-ahead for the restart of unit 3 at the Tihange Nuclear Power Plant after a maintenance outage in preparation for the unit’s operation for a further 10 years. The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) and its technical subsidiary Bel V determined that the reactor meets the conditions for a safe restart. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Belgium’s government reversed its previous decision to phase out nuclear energy and has sought to extend the operation of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors.

Czech Energy company CEZ is considering the possibility of a modernization plan to increase the output and operation of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. Modernization activities would be focused on the plant’s turbine halls with an aim of increasing operation to 60 years and replicating past modernization efforts that have increased unit outputs from 440 MWe to 512 MWe. However, the operator has to consider the costs and benefits of such a large project and aims to have this analysis completed by 2026 and begin modernization work by 2030.

The European Commission is set to invest €202 million ($236 million) in the IFMIF-DONES particle accelerator located in Spain, which will cover about 25% of the project’s cost. The contribution was approved during a meeting held at Fusion for Energy’s headquarters in Barcelona, and it is conditional on Spain securing full funding for the construction of the facility. The mission of the program is to test materials to be used in fusion power plants and develop a database of fusion-like neutron irradiation effects in the materials required for construction of demonstration fusion reactors.

Hungary's Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) has permitted the resumption of construction on the Paks II nuclear power plant following an order to stop work earlier this year due to an incident where a portion of the southern wall of the working pit collapsed. As ordered by the HAEA, Paks II personnel conducted a review of the stability of the walls of the working pit and identified potential danger zones that required removal of damaged sections. Following the lifting of the construction ban, the HAEA has ordered that continuous monitoring must be in place during construction to assess groundwater levels and review the conditions of the working pit walls.

Armenia has begun preparatory work designed to extend the service life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 to 2036. The Armenian government originally decided to extend the reactor’s operating period during a cabinet meeting last month, saying that large-scale modernization and re-equipment works will be carried out. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant comprises two Russian-built VVER reactors, and Rosatom signed an agreement with Armenia in 2022 to look into the possibility of building new units on the site.

Asia & The Pacific

The United States-Thailand 123 agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation entered into force on July 11. This revived bilateral cooperation after the original bilateral agreement expired in 2014. The agreement also positions Thailand to benefit from advanced U.S. nuclear reactor technologies. Thailand previously cancelled plans to build five nuclear power plants in the country following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident but has more recently issued a new power development plan (PDP) that seeks to implement small modular reactors between 2024 and 2037.

The United States and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear cooperation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan signed the agreement, with the U.S. State Department saying that this is an important step toward establishing a robust civil nuclear partnership. Malaysia’s previous nuclear plans were shelved after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, but the Malaysian Cabinet acknowledged nuclear power as a viable solution for future electricity generation in 2024 and charted a course for nuclear energy adoption beyond 2035.

Japanese startup Helical Fusion Company has closed its Series A funding round, securing $15 million to accelerate its groundbreaking “Helix Program” to develop a state-state net power fusion power plant by the 2030s. This funding raises the company’s total capital to $35 million, primarily supplied by prominent investors such as SBI Investment and Keio Innovation Initiative among 19 other institutions. Additionally, the Helix Program will be for a stellarator fusion reactor design that could also be used for powering space missions.

Uzatom Atomic Energy Agency, the Hungarian Foreign and Trade Ministry, and MVM EGI signed a protocol on agreements reached on cooperation relating to proposed nuclear energy projects in Uzbekistan. According to Uzatom, the agreement provides for the use of Hungarian dry cooling systems, the preparation of technical and commercial proposals for the supply of equipment and start of work on establishing a joint venture to organize a large-scale assembly of dry cooling systems. Preparatory work is already underway in Uzbekistan for its first commercial nuclear power plant using small modular reactors (SMR).

French nuclear company Orano and Kazatomprom announced the full implementation of operations at the South Tortkuduk uranium mining site in Kazakhstan under its Katco joint venture company. Production from South Tortkuduk is intended to gradually replace the currently exploited uranium mines, and Katco is expected to return to its full production level of 4,000 tons per year in 2026. Katco has also been operating the nearby Tortkuduk and Muyunkum uranium mines for more than 20 years.

Africa

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa stated that participants at the recent Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa agreed that small modular reactors (SMR) hold immense promise for accelerating Africa’s energy transition, and that their successful deployment hinges on technological readiness and robust supporting infrastructure. Executive Secretary Claver Gatete noted encouraging developments in Africa such as the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant in Egypt and Ghana’s partnership with NuScale Power to explore options for SMRs.

The Middle East

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani signed a memorandum of understanding for nuclear cooperation. The MoU looks to advance peaceful cooperation in nuclear energy, as well as enhance energy security, expand economic cooperation, and promote the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation. This MoU is the latest among numerous recent nuclear agreements the United States has signed with other countries.

Framatome and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have signed an agreement for the supply of nuclear fuel assemblies and engineering services for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. Under the agreement, Framatome will supply complete fuel assemblies for use at the Barakah plant from Framatome’s manufacturing facility in the United States. The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant consists of four Korean-designed APR1400 reactors, with the last unit entering commercial operation in 2024.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held meetings to discuss progress on the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant with Russia’s Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev. Shortly after the meetings, the two sides signed an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement which relates to the design work and supply of equipment and materials, installation and commissioning for a physical protection system for the power plant. El Dabaa will be Egypt’s first nuclear power plant and the first built in Africa since South Africa’s Koeberg Power Plant nearly 40 years ago.

South & Central America

Nano Nuclear has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Argentinian critical metals company UrAmerica to help modernize and develop Argentina’s nuclear fuel supply chain. The MoU formalizes negotiations with the two companies around opportunities relating to uranium mining and conversion into uranium hexafluoride (UF6), with both companies considering uranium purchase agreements and potential investments in nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Argentina currently operates three nuclear reactors, and President Javier Milei has expressed his interest in building new nuclear reactors to power new technology sectors.

North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy

United States

Westinghouse announced that it plans to build 10 large nuclear reactors in the United States, with construction set to begin by 2030. The company disclosed these plans during a conference on energy and artificial intelligence held at Carnegie Mellon University where technology and energy executives announced more than $90 billion in investment in data centers and power infrastructure. Westinghouse’s interim CEO did not identify where or for which entities the reactors would be constructed. Westinghouse’s announcement is in line with the Trump Administration’s plans to quadruple nuclear power by 2050 and begin constructing 10 new nuclear reactors by 2030.

Department Of Government Efficiency representative Adam Blake allegedly told the chair and top staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that the agency will be expected to give “rubber stamp” approval to new reactors tested by the Departments of Energy and Defense. The sources said that Blake described a new regulatory approach where the NRC would work to expedite nuclear safety assessments. President Donald Trump recently signed multiple executive orders aimed at expanding U.S. nuclear capacity and expediting the licensing and construction of new reactors.

The Department of Energy announced the start of a new pilot program to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear reactors and strengthen domestic supply chains for nuclear fuel. The Department issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking qualified U.S. companies to build and operate nuclear fuel production lines using the DoE’s authorization process. The goal of this initiative is to help end America’s reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium and critical materials, while also opening the door for private sector investment in the U.S. nuclear sector.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the Trump Administration is aggressively paving the way to open more nuclear power plants while pulling back on wind power. Zeldin said that he seeks to get the EPA out of the way of the administration’s expediting of nuclear reactor approvals and that he wants to see Congress approve a law making it easier to license emissions-free nuclear power plants. The Trump administration has recently signed several executive orders to expand U.S. nuclear power while deprioritizing renewable energy sources.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted for review the construction permit from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Clinch River site in Tennessee. TVA submitted its application for Clinch River to the NRC in May, with the NRC stating that it expects to complete its review within 17 months. TVA has invested considerably in the standard design of GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR design and is the first utility in the United States to submit a construction permit application for the SMR model.

Holtec International has submitted a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) indicating that it has completed the necessary licensing activities to transition the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant from decommissioning to operational status. In its update, Holtec said work remains on schedule and on budget, proposed the transition begin on August 25, and is targeting the power plant’s restart to take place in the fourth quarter of this year. The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant ceased operations back in 2022, but Holtec is currently pursuing a restart of the shuttered power plant.

South Carolina’s state-owned utility Santee Cooper has selected several proposals provided in response to a request for interest (RFI) to potentially acquire and finish building the discontinued VC Summer nuclear reactors. The selected entities will now conduct additional due diligence and submit final proposals for Santee Cooper’s evaluation, with the utility expecting to complete this process by the end of 2025. In 2017, Santee Cooper cancelled the construction of the VC Summer 2 and 3 reactors due mainly to cost overruns and the bankruptcy of the project’s primary contractor.

TerraPower announced the award of three supplier contracts to support the ongoing Natrium power plant project in Kemmerer, Wyoming. This is the fifth round of procurement awards for the project, with the companies awarded this round being AVANTech, Structural Integrity Associates, and PAR Systems. TerraPower has already secured 100% of the long-lead items for the Natrium project, with the first Natrium power plant expected to be completed in 2030 and be the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is expediting its review of TerraPower’s construction license application for the Natrium advanced reactor demonstration project and is now expected to complete its review by the end of this year. The NRC noted that frequent and productive engagements with TerraPower mean the NRC could complete its review well ahead of the original August 2026 date but added that the accelerated timeline depends on a continued commitment from TerraPower to resolve remaining issues in a timely manner. The Natrium reactor is a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor that uses high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).

Italian micro-modular reactor developer Terra Innovatum is teaming up with U.S. engineering consultancy TechSource to accelerate the commercialization of its SOLO microreactor in the United States. TechSource will advance the introduction of the SOLO microreactor through supply chain and regulatory advisory support, while expanding access to potential strategic investors and U.S. agency funding programs. Terra Innovatum is currently in the process of developing its scalable MMR design and is also engaged in pre-application activities with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Advanced reactor technology company Oklo announced it has selected Kiewit Nuclear Solutions as the lead constructor for its first commercial Aurora powerhouse reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Under the Master Services Agreement, Kiewit will begin to support the design, procurement, and construction of the Aurora powerhouse, with pre-construction expected to begin this year and commercial operations targeted for late 2027 or early 2028. The Aurora powerhouse is a key part of Oklo’s broader deployment pipeline.

Vistra announced it has received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to extend the operation of its Perry Nuclear Power Plant through 2046, an additional 20 years beyond its original license. Perry is the last of Vistra’s six reactors to apply for and receive its license extension from the NRC, meaning all of its reactors are now licensed to operate for a total of 60 years. The Perry Nuclear Power Plant originally connected to the grid in 1986 and its currently operating under its original 40-year license.

In response to New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s call for at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear power, Constellation Energy is planning to pursue a nuclear project in upstate New York. Constellation already operates three nuclear power plants in New York state, with CEO Joe Dominguez, stating that these would be the most logical sites for new nuclear reactors. Governor Hochul recently directed state agencies to develop nuclear power further but has not offered details on what kind of plant would be involved or where it would be built.

The Defense Department’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has cancelled the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) project to develop a nuclear thermal engine for spacecraft. The cancellation was originally reported by Ars Technica in its analysis of NASA’s fiscal 2026 budget request, which included no funding for the project and DARPA pulling out of the project for economic reasons. DRACO aimed to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion system above low Earth orbit and develop and demonstrate a HALEU propulsion system as well.

Canada

Canadian nuclear plant developer ARC Clean Technology announced the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has completed Phase 2 of its vendor design review for the ARC-100 small modular reactor (SMR). In its report, the CNSC concluded that no fundamental barriers to licensing have been identified, which marks a pivotal step toward the ARC-100’s commercial deployment. The ARC-100 is a sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor designed for both on-grid electricity production and industrial heat applications.

Westinghouse Electric and Eclipse Automation signed a memorandum of understanding to support nuclear new-build projects both in Canada and abroad. Under the agreement, Eclipse Automation will provide automation solutions for key AP300 and AP1000 reactors and will also see the two companies collaborate on developing tooling for the refurbishment of operating nuclear plants. This announcement is the latest in a series of agreements Westinghouse has signed with Canadian firms to support the deployment of AP300 and AP1000 nuclear facilities.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the province’s plans to hold public consultations this fall on adding nuclear power to Alberta’s energy mix. Smith added that small modular reactors (SMR) likely make the most sense for remote rural sites that are heavy energy users and could benefit from small nuclear reactors being co-located on these sites. Advanced reactor developer X-energy has also expressed its interest in Alberta as a potential growth market for its SMRs.

Mexico

There are no new updates for this region.

New Research

Accelerating Commercialization Through Incentivizing On-Time Nuclear (ACTION)

The Breakthrough Institute, July 17

Advancing Nuclear Energy in Virginia and Tennessee

NGA Nuclear Dispatch, July 11

Nuclear Energy and Climate Change Mitigation

The Congressional Research Service, July 1

Op-Eds & Articles

A Look Inside a Lab Making the Advanced Fuel to Power Growing US Nuclear Energy Ambitions

AP News, July 16

Despite Bipartisan Backing, Nuclear’s Future Is Uncertain Under Trump

Council on Foreign Relations, July 14

What’s Next for Advanced Nuclear Technology?

Utility Dive, July 14

From ‘No Nukes’ to Nuclear Now: The Progressive Energy Flip

The Baltimore Sun, July 14

With Power Demands, Permitting Process for TVA Small Nuclear Reactors Looks to Be Just In Time

The Chattanooga Times Free Press, July 14

America’s Building Bottleneck Threatens the Energy Transition

Latitude Media, July 14

Nuclear’s Moment: Securing US AI Supremacy

Yahoo! Finance, July 14

Will China’s ‘No Tunnel, No Toxic Waste’ Uranium Mine Be a Nuclear Energy Game Changer?

The South China Morning Post, July 13

The Enduring Dilemma of Managing American High-Level Nuclear Waste

Brookings, July 11

Our Energy Future Requires a Nuclear Warp Speed

The Hill, July 11

Can Nuclear Energy Power Africa?

Forbes, July 9

Republicans and Democrats Finally Agree on Nuclear. It’s the Industry That’s the Problem.

Politico, July 9

For National Security, We Need Uranium Mined in America

Real Clear Energy, July 8

Nuclear at Sea: Navigating Regulatory Confluence

Power Mag, July 8

Why the U.S. Must Protect the Independence of its Nuclear Regulator

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, July 7

Can We Afford to be Afraid of Nuclear Power?

The Guardian, July 6

Nuclear Power Is Essential for Taiwan’s National Security

The National Interest, July 6

What Does Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Do for US Energy Dominance?

The Atlantic Council, July 3

News items and summaries compiled by:

Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security

Mackenzie Hansen, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security

Gabriela Zanko, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security