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Greetings Patrick!
In this week’s issue, we spotlight and provide an infographic on the recent South Korean election, the new Prime Minister Lee Jae-myung’s energy priorities, and how his election might impact the country’s nuclear energy policy. 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.
| | South Korea's New President Lee Jae-myung's Energy Priorities | | Jocelyn Livier, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | | | | |
Spotlight
South Korea’s liberal opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung has been sworn in as the country’s newest president after securing over 49% of the vote. Lee’s election follows former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December and subsequent impeachment. Lee, served as governor of Gyeonggi province and mayor of Seongnam city and narrowly lost the presidential election in 2022. He now enters office with a parliamentary majority. His first priorities are domestic, promising to “build a nation of new hope,” and he has already called for amendments to change presidential terms from one five-year term to two four-year terms, to make it harder to impose martial law, and has promised a stimulus package to address South Korea’s slowing economy.
On nuclear policy, Lee differs significantly from his predecessor. He has promised to keep nuclear power “for the time being,” supporting existing nuclear power and extending the life of existing nuclear plants. But he opposes new builds, due to safety, land use, and waste management. “Nuclear power is inherently dangerous and there are sustainability issues,” he said during the campaign. Notably, Lee supports the development and export of small modular reactors. Lee’s party has raised sharp questions about KHNP’s agreement to build new Korean reactors in the Czech Republic, but it is unclear if he will stand in the way as president. His position builds on his 2022 presidential platform, where he backed former President Moon Jae-in’s nuclear phase-out policy but which supported exports. He has advocated for a more measured and pragmatic energy transition.
Instead of new nuclear energy, Lee plans for a shift to other renewable energy sources under his “Energy Expressway” framework. This plan seeks to reduce the use of natural gas, expand solar energy in rural areas, and promote offshore wind to power industrial centers. Lee also intends to establish an agency to supervise South Korea's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and phase out coal by 2024. These objectives come as South Korea continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels and lags behind international efforts to reduce emissions.
Nuclear energy, already accounting for 32% of the country’s electricity in 2024, and the majority of its zero carbon energy, will continue to be a vital part of the country’s energy transition. However, Lee’s cautious nuclear stance may make the nation's larger strategic objectives more difficult to achieve. With electricity demand rising—particularly from AI—limiting nuclear expansion could strain the power grid and risk undermining the tech sector. At the same time, reducing domestic nuclear development could weaken Seoul’s push to position itself as a global exporter of nuclear technology, which was a cornerstone of the previous administration’s strategy.
| | Emily Day, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | | Issues of Special Interest | | Global AI and Data Center Energy | | |
Meta has struck an agreement with Constellation Energy to keep Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center operating for an additional 20 years and take credit for its clean energy output. The Clinton nuclear facility was originally set to be shut down after the expiry of an Illinois credit program in 2027. The extension of the facility will depend on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reviewing the plant’s license renewal application that was submitted last year. The deal between Meta and Constellation is the latest of many announced deals between independent power producers and major tech companies on powering AI data centers.
The Department of Energy announced details for an advanced supercomputer that would speed up the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence and nuclear fusion. In collaboration with Dell Technologies and NVIDIA, the NERSC-10 supercomputer will support high-performance computing (HPC) workloads like those in molecular dynamics, high-energy physics, and AI training and inference. The NERSC-10 is expected to provide more than 10 times the performance of the most advanced machine currently in operation at the National Research Scientific Computing Center.
| | The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs | | |
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine is facing an extremely fragile power situation, relying on just one remaining power line for safety functions. The plant’s last backup line has been disconnected since May 7. The IAEA team continues to hear military activity near the site and reports regular drone sightings at other Ukrainian nuclear facilities.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Kyiv to discuss immediate nuclear safety concerns and the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine’s nuclear energy infrastructure, meeting with President Zelenskyy. He emphasized the IAEA’s continued role in preventing a nuclear accident amid ongoing threats. Grossi also outlined plans for a safety assessment of the New Safe Confinement at Chernobyl and support for building two new reactors at the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant site.
Rosatom confirmed it is moving forward with long-term plans to restart Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which remains under Russian control and currently in cold shutdown. The plan involves restoring infrastructure, replacing power grids, resolving fuel issues, and connecting the plant to the Russian energy system via a nearly completed new transmission line. While connecting Zaporizhzhia to Russia's energy system could be completed in a few weeks, experts say a full restart is still several years away due to technical and regulatory hurdles.
Despite satellite imagery showing Russia building new power lines near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the IAEA says there are no signs of imminent efforts to restart the facility. All six reactors remain in cold shutdown, and inspectors on site have observed no active preparations, even as Ukraine warns the power line project violates its sovereignty. Major technical and safety challenges, such as fragile power supply and the loss of the plant’s original cooling water source, continue to complicate any restart scenario.
| | Global Nuclear Developments, Geopolitics, & Governance | | |
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev stated that Russia is prepared to continue supplying enriched uranium to the U.S., noting that purchases are ongoing despite sanctions due to favorable pricing. His comments come amid ongoing U.S.-Russia negotiations and follow legislation allowing limited uranium imports under waivers until 2028. Meanwhile, JSC Rusburmash, a part of Rosatom's mining division, finished construction of facilities for developing the Khokhlovskoye uranium deposit.
India is accelerating discussions with Russia on joint collaborations in nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies ahead of President Putin’s upcoming visit. Talks include plans for thorium-based small modular reactors, cyber defense co-development, and cross-sector innovation in semiconductors, AI, space tech, and critical minerals.
Rosatom has ramped up production of its RITM reactors, with ten units currently in development, including six RITM-200 reactors for floating power units. The RITM line supports both Russia’s next-generation icebreaker fleet and low-power energy applications, with eight reactors already operational. Assembly of the second RITM-400 reactor for the Rossiya icebreaker is set to be completed within two months.
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China’s recent success in refueling a molten salt thorium reactor while it remained operational marks a major step in advanced nuclear energy and carbon neutrality goals. This development highlights both the potential of thorium fuel cycles (TFC), which offer greater safety, efficiency, and reduced waste, and risks especially related to nuclear proliferation.
China is aggressively challenging Russia’s Rosatom for the contract to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, offering a significantly cheaper proposal—$5.5 billion for two HPR-1000 reactors compared to bids from Russia, France, and South Korea ranging from $12–15 billion. Beijing is also proposing to manage the full nuclear fuel cycle and support scientific infrastructure, which Kazakh officials are seriously considering. Political and economic factors, including fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine, may be shifting Kazakhstan’s preference toward China, with a final decision expected by the end of June.
China’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR), Linglong-1, is nearing completion and will be capable of powering 526,000 homes annually. Developed by CNNC, it’s the world’s first land-based SMR to begin construction and has passed IAEA safety review. Designed for versatility and safety, Linglong-1 supports China’s carbon neutrality goals and may position the country as a global leader and exporter in SMR technology.
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The Czech Republic’s contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for additional units at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant has officially been signed hours after the country’s Supreme Administrative Court annulled a regional court’s injunction to stop the deal from happening. The Supreme Court found that the preliminary injunction that was secured by Électricité de France (EDF) was both unlawful and partly un-reviewable, although the substance of the case has yet to be heard in court. The Czech Republic is planning on new nuclear capacity at the Dukovany Power Plant, with KHNP announced as the preferred bidder for the project last year.
The Czech Republic has taken delivery of the first 30 fuel assemblies from Westinghouse for the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant as it seeks to end its dependence on Russian nuclear fuel. Acceptance checks are currently taking place with specialists verifying the weight of the fuel and performing visual inspections. CEZ signed its contract for the supply of fuel assemblies with Westinghouse and Framatome in 2022 to replace Russian nuclear fuel company TVEL as its primary supplier. CEZ is also contracting Westinghouse to supply fuel for the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant.
Small modular reactor developer Holtec Britain has chosen a site next to the Doncaster-Sheffield Airport as the preferred location for its planned new SMR manufacturing factory. Holtec Britain said the planned factory is the centerpiece of its United Kingdom investment plans, with the new hub giving the United Kingdom “first mover advantage” at the helm of a new export market for SMR components. The factory is expected to produce two SMR units annually, with half of the output slated to be exported.
The Sizewell C nuclear power project is expected to receive final approval between July 8 and 10 during the Anglo-French summit held in London. The announcement will come after the spending review in which the British government will confirm the financial commitment and public support. The Sizewell C project has been controversial due to its potential cost, with Sizewell management denying estimates that the final cost could be close to £40 billion. This is the second new nuclear power station in the United Kingdom that is being built in partnership with Électricité de France (EDF).
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó criticized the European Commission’s proposed ban on Russian nuclear fuel, warning it would severely impact Hungary and destabilize the broader European energy market. Szijjártó argued the move would drive up energy prices and undermine economic competitiveness, especially as several Central European countries rely on Russian-made fuel for their nuclear plants. He urged opposition to respond to Hungary’s Vote 2025 survey, linking it to broader concerns over EU support for Ukraine and rising utility costs.
Bulgaria has approved a partial exemption from EU sanctions on Russia to allow the import of essential components for the safe operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. The plant’s two operating reactors are Soviet-built and depend on Russian-origin parts for maintenance and safety. The government emphasized that the decision is necessary to uphold nuclear safety standards and ensure continuous electricity generation.
The Turkey Nuclear Energy Corporation (TÜNAŞ) acknowledged its exclusion from the construction and operation management of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, meaning that Russian nuclear agency Rosatom will exclusively oversee these operations. The acknowledgment was made during a closed session of the parliamentary committee that oversees state-owned enterprises, stating that it does not currently have a partnership in the Akkuyu project. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, with the first unit set to be operational by the end of the year.
Estonia has decided to begin a national planning process and environmental impact assessment for a 600 MW small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant, which will be based on a proposal put forward by nuclear company Fermi Energy in January. Between 2025 and 2027, a site pre-selection phase will focus on promising areas near the town of Kunda and Aa, evaluating each location’s access to existing infrastructure. Fermi Energia said in a statement that submission of the construction permit application for the project is planned for 2029, and the company is planning to deploy GE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR technology.
France’s Framatome signed a long-term contract with Swiss power plant operator Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG (KKL) to supply ATRIUM-11 fuel assemblies to the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant in Switzerland. The contract covers the supply of fuel over the period from 2028 to 2035, and Framatome has already supplied ATRIUM-11 fuel assemblies for the Leibstadt plant since 2012. The ATRIUM-11 design uses an 11x11 rod array and chromia-enhanced uranium oxide pellet which allows operators to run plants with more flexibility in response to fluctuating power demands.
Spain’s three largest utilities, Iberdrola SA, Endesa SA, and Naturgy Energy Group, are working on a proposal to extend the lifespan of the country’s Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant. The Almaraz Power Plant’s two reactors are slated to be shut down in 2027 and 2028 respectively, but the utilities are seeking to postpone the planned closing until 2030. Spain’s government currently plans to shut down all of the country’s reactors by 2035, although the government has recently signaled its openness to keep the reactors running if their operators can submit concrete proposals to do so.
French innovative reactor developer Newcleo and Slovak radioactive waste management company JAVYS signed a joint venture shareholder agreement that will pave the way toward the construction of up to four lead-cooled fast reactors at the Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant. The agreement will establish the Centre for Development of Spent Nuclear Fuel Utilization (CVP) as a joint venture company, which will focus on developing a project to build Newcleo’s LFR-AS-200 reactors. Newcleo and JAVYS will also continue cooperating with the French nuclear fuel supply chain to develop and deploy used nuclear fuel transportation and reprocessing solutions.
Sweden’s Riksdag approved the government’s proposal for providing state aid to companies that want to invest in new nuclear reactors in the country, with the new law set to enter force later this year. Sweden’s government previously proposed a new law regarding state support for nuclear power investments, with the government providing state loans to finance new reactors as well as a contract-for-difference power price mechanism. The Swedish government unveiled a roadmap in 2023 that envisaged the construction of new nuclear generating capacity equivalent to at least two large-scale reactors by 2035.
Australian mineral company Aura Energy and Neu Horizon Uranium plan to enter into a strategic collaboration agreement to develop Sweden’s uranium resources should the country remove its prohibition on uranium mining. The two companies will collaborate on key initiatives such as government and regulatory engagement, as well as technical cooperation on uranium extraction and processing. Uranium exploration and mining has been prohibited since 2018, although the current government has indicated that a government inquiry will look into repealing the ban.
A working group formed of representatives from the radiation and nuclear safety authorities of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden released a strategy that provides recommendations for strengthening cooperation. The report contains 13 recommendations for further developing cooperation such as expanding cooperation on preparedness for radiological and nuclear incidents, strengthened cooperation on international support of Ukraine, and an increased information exchange within radiation protection. In the coming months, these authorities will prepare an action plan that will propose concrete implementation of the report’s recommendations.
Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) announced that it remains on track to complete its assessment of Posiva Oy’s operating license application for the world’s first used nuclear fuel repository despite some deficiencies in the materials submitted for review. The government will make the final decision on Posiva’s application, but a positive opinion by the STUK is required beforehand. The used fuel encapsulation plant and final disposal facility are currently under construction at the Olkiluoto site and is expected to begin operations in the mid-2020s.
Dutch offshore construction engineering contractor Allseas has launched a five-year plan to design, develop, and deploy a small modular reactor (SMR) tailored for integration into offshore vessels and for onshore use. The company has selected high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR) using TRISO particle fuel, stating further it has selected this SMR technology “due to their inherently safe characteristics”. In the first year, Allseas aims to finalize initial design studies for offshore and onshore use before moving on to prototype development and pre-licensing discussions.
The IAEA conducted a follow-up Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) mission at the Borssele Nuclear Power Plant in Belgium and a Safety Aspects of Long-Term Operation (SALTO) review mission at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant in Slovenia. The OSART team found that the Borssele power plant’s operator has demonstrated a commitment to its operational safety and that the majority of the recommendations from the original 2023 mission for improvement were fully completed. The SALTO mission at Krško noted the process in measures taken by the operator to ensure safety long-term operation of the power plant.
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Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) signed a memorandum of understanding with Oklo to jointly develop and deploy its 75 MW Aurora nuclear facility, an advanced fission reactor designed for clean, affordable energy, especially for industrial use like data centers. The Aurora powerhouse reactor, located at the Idaho National Laboratory, requires refueling only once every 10+ years and promises lower operational costs. This collaboration marks a step toward global deployment of Oklo's technology, as nuclear energy gains attention for its reliability and low emissions.
Construction has officially begun on the Shin Hanul unit 3 reactor in South Korea, marked by the pouring of the first safety-related concrete, with completion expected by 2032. The project, featuring APR1400 reactors, was initially delayed due to a previous government’s nuclear phase-out policy but resumed under President Yoon Seok-yeol’s pro-nuclear stance. Shin Hanul units 3 and 4 are set to strengthen South Korea’s nuclear industry and contribute significantly to its energy mix and economy.
India and Russia are strengthening their cooperation in nuclear energy, with a particular focus on developing small modular reactors (SMRs). Russian nuclear company Rosatom has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra to explore thorium-based SMR projects in India. This partnership aims to leverage advanced nuclear technologies to support India’s growing energy needs and enhance energy security.
Indonesia is exploring cooperation with Russia on nuclear power plant development, with a focus on technology transfer and modular reactor expertise. During a bilateral meeting in St. Petersburg, Indonesian and Russian officials discussed joint efforts to support Indonesia’s transition to renewable energy, including plans for floating NPPs in remote regions. Indonesia is also fast-tracking its first nuclear power facility and revising its legal framework to support a broader nuclear energy rollout by 2029.
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia and Uzbekistan’s atomic energy agency, Uzatom, signed a memorandum of understanding to explore collaboration in advanced technologies and the development of small modular reactors (SMR). The MoU will pursue strategic cooperation in areas such as the design and construction of next-gen nuclear power plants, nuclear waste management solutions, and professional training programs. Uzbekistan is currently in the process of building its first nuclear power plant with assistance from Rosatom based on a contract signed last year.
| | Uganda has contracted Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to evaluate a proposed site in the Buyende region for its first nuclear power plant, with the assessment scheduled to last until July 2027. The evaluation will follow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards, examining factors like climate, natural disasters, cooling sources, and safety risks. Uganda plans to build six reactors totaling 8,400 MWe by 2040 as part of its Vision 2040 energy roadmap, aiming to diversify from heavy reliance on hydroelectric power. Alongside Korea, Uganda is also collaborating with Russia and China on nuclear energy development, with President Museveni announcing plans for two plants totaling 15 GWe. | | |
According to a confidential report from the IAEA, Iran now possesses over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, well above the level used for civilian purposes and a near 50% increase in the past three months. The report adds that this amount of enriched uranium is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined, making Iran the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level. This latest assessment casts doubt onto Iran’s assertion that its nuclear program is fully peaceful and opens the door for other countries to push the IAEA’s board of governors to find Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations.
At the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) signed an agreement to evaluate international deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR). The deal builds on a 2023 partnership under ENEC’s ADVANCE Programme and outlines collaboration on site selection, licensing, investment, and supply chain strategies. The United Arab Emirates currently operates the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant which consists of four units.
Two complementary proposals have been put forth to create a Middle East nuclear consortium that would support reduce incentives for an Iranian nuclear weapon, support regional uranium enrichment, and support reactor building in the region. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists proposes a regional multinational nuclear consortium whose initial core partners are Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Neutron Bytes published its own proposal to make Oman the site of a regional uranium enrichment facility that would serve Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern states that want commercial nuclear reactors.
| | The IAEA concluded its Site and External Events Design (SEED) safety review mission to El Salvador, which is considering two candidate sites for its first nuclear power plant. The mission provided recommendations to improve the quality and to optimize the site selection process in order to minimize the potential for the selected site to be found unsuitable during the site characterization stage. El Salvador is looking to build its first nuclear power plant to diversify its energy mix and is currently completing its site selection process. | | North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy | | |
President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders relating to nuclear energy with the goal of re-establishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy and increasing U.S. nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW to 400 GW by 2050. The Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base order aims to strengthen the domestic fuel cycle and recommends national policy to support the development of advanced fuel cycle capabilities. The Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy order calls on the Energy Secretary to revise regulations, guidance, and practices at the DoE to expedite the deployment of advanced reactors. Finally, the Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission order proposes the NRC work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reorganize the committee to promote a faster adoption of innovative technology.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other federal agencies posted additional information on the Trump Administration’s budget request for the fiscal year 2026, including a detailed appendix outlining proposed spending across federal agencies. The Advanced Reactor Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will be allocated $200 million, amounting to a 57% cut from the previous budget, and the budget also requests $750 million in new credit subsidies to support Title 17 Innovative Energy Loan Guarantees for small modular and advanced nuclear reactors. The Office of Nuclear Energy would receive $1.37 billion with top priorities including the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), HALEU development, and support for mission-critical facilities.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright testified before the Senate’s Energy and Water Development Subcommittee to discuss how the Department of Energy would be impacted by President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal-year 2026 budget. In his testimony, Wright referred to artificial intelligence as the next Manhattan project, stating that the DoE has a significant role to play in driving AI innovation for scientific discovery. Additionally, Wright said that the Loan Programs Office is a key tool in spurring new nuclear projects and expediting new nuclear power sources.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said that Holtec International’s efforts to restart the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan pose “no significant impact” to the human environment. The official notice of NRC’s finding removes a crucial roadblock to what is expected to be the first recommissioning of a retired nuclear reactor in the United States later this year. The NRC previously issued a draft finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant last January.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved NuScale Power’s uprated US460 small modular reactor (SMR) design, increasing the power output per module from 50 megawatts to 77 MW. The NRC said the technical review has been completed on schedule and under budget, demonstrating NuScale’s commitment to safely and efficiently enable advanced reactor technology. NuScale’s application for standard design approval of its US460 SMR design was accepted for NRC review in 2023 and is currently on track for deployment by the end of the decade.
Westinghouse has received approval from the Department of Energy for its eVinci microreactor’s Preliminary Safety Design Report (PSDR), becoming the first microreactor developer to secure such an approved report for the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments test bed at the Idaho National Laboratory. The PSDR provides the detailed design and safety case overview of the eVinci nuclear test reactor required by the Department of Energy to locate it at the DOME test bed. The eVinci is a heat pipe-cooled microreactor which can produce up to 5 MWe.
Advanced reactor companies and other energy companies have urged the U.S. Senate’s leadership to preserve clean energy tax credits that would be gutted by the Republican spending bill passed by the House of Representatives. The letter stated that baseload technologies such as advanced nuclear rely on these credits to secure financing, plan multi-decade investments, and build the necessary infrastructure needed to deploy future projects. Among the companies that signed the letter were nuclear technology companies Oklo and TerraPower.
According to GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik, President Donald Trump’s executive order could help launch small modular reactors (SMR) in the United States by late 2030. Strazik added that the order could result in approvals to start building SMRs in the United States by 2027, creating a credible shot of adding these reactors to the U.S. nuclear fleet in late 2030 or 2031. GE Vernova is currently in the process of developing its BWRX-300 SMR at the Oak Ridge nuclear site in Tennessee and has already received approval to deploy its SMR in Canada as well.
Shares of nuclear power and uranium companies closed higher after President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at jumpstarting the U.S. nuclear energy industry. Shares of uranium mining companies Uranium Energy, Energy Fuels, and Centrus Energy jumped between 19.6% and 24.2%. Nano Nuclear led the gains for advanced reactor companies with a stock increase of more than 30%, with Oklo and NuScale Power increasing 23.1% and 19.6% respectively. The executive orders direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants.
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) received priority rating authorization from the federal government to expedite the construction of the world’s first two microreactor test beds: the DOME and LOTUS test beds. The new rating elevates the lab’s priority status with the U.S. supply chain to expedite the construction of the test beds, with DOME currently on track to receive its first experiment as early as next year. The two test beds will help reactor developers test their fueled microreactor experiments and accelerate the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactor systems.
Nuclear tech startup Radiant announced that it has raised $165 million in a Series C funding round, with the proceeds aimed at advancing its development of mass-produced nuclear microreactors. The funding announcement follows the Department of Energy selecting Radiant as one of five companies in the United States to receive high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Radiant is currently designing a 1 megawatt nuclear microreactor that can serve as an alternative to diesel generators, and the company said that it plans to test its first microreactor in 2026.
Type One Energy announced it has successfully completed the first formal design review of the Infinity Two nuclear fusion plant project. The Infinity Two design is progressing in support of a potential fusion power plant project with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) using Type One Energy stellarator technology. Successful completion of the initial design review confirms that the Infinity Two technology approach, architecture, performance, and reliability requirements remain aligned with the expectations of the TVA and the broader global energy market for a commercially viable fusion power plant.
California-based startup Valar Atomics and the State of Utah are partnering to have a new nuclear test reactor operating in Utah within a year. Valar Atomics founder Isaiah Taylor said the reactor will be developed at the San Rafael Energy Research Center, which the State of Utah purchased last year. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that Utah is ready to start building nuclear power facilities in Utah, which is in line with the state legislature approving $10 million towards developing the infrastructure for nuclear power as part of Cox’s Operation Gigawatt initiative.
The owners of the Hatch Nuclear Power Plant in Georgia submitted its application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a subsequent 20 year extension of the dual-unit plant’s operations. A decision from the NRC on the subsequent license renewal application is expected in the next few years. The Georgia Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power’s request to begin the multiyear process to extend Hatch’s license back in 2022 as part of the company’s Integrated Resource Plan.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Senator Marsha Blackburn commemorated a new multi-billion-dollar uranium enrichment facility that will be coming to the Oak Ridge nuclear facility. State and local leaders joined the Orano group as they announced they will be opening offices in the area and will soon begin construction on the new facility. Project IKE is set to build one of the largest uranium enrichment facilities in the country, with Orano stating that operations at the facility could begin in the early 2030s.
The Columbia Nuclear Power Plant in Washington state will begin a $700 million uprate that will add nearly 200 megawatts of generation capacity to the facility. The Columbia station will undergo an extended power uprate that will be done during the plant’s next three biennial spring refueling outages, involving approximately 30 individual upgrades. The Columbia Nuclear Power Plant began operations in 1984 and has a capacity of 1,207 megawatts, with Energy Northwest and the Bonneville Power Administration collaborating on the uprating project.
Local regulators with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommended that the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant should have its current license renewed for an additional 20 years, stating that the power plant is in good enough condition to run for at least the next two decades. The federal government completed its inspection at Diablo Canyon and the NRC issued a memorandum saying that the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has established aging management programs that comply with the requirements to operate the plant through a license renewal. PG&E originally submitted its license renewal application to the NRC in 2023.
Two of Laramide Resources’ advanced-stage uranium development projects, Crownpoint-Churchrock and La Jara Mesa, have been designated as FAST-41 Covered Projects by the U.S. Federal Improvement Steering Council. The designation is part of the federal infrastructure permitting initiative established under Title 41 of the FAST Act to support an efficient and transparent federal review process. The Crownpoint-Churchrock site comprises two in-situ recovery-amenable uranium deposits and is described as one of the largest undeveloped uranium resources in the country.
The Maine House of Representatives advanced a bill that directs the Public Utilities Commission to seek informational bids on small modular reactors (SMR). In a floor speech, Representative Reagan Paul cited the state’s openness in its Maine Energy Plan to explore the benefits of nuclear energy for the state’s clean energy goal. While this bill passed the state House of Representatives, the House rejected a separate measure that would have included nuclear energy in Maine’s renewable energy portfolio standard.
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Ontario Power Generation awarded a $325 million contract to Candu Energy for the first BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The contract covers engineering, licensing, procurement, and construction support for what will be Canada’s first new nuclear build in nearly 30 years and the first grid-scale SMR in a G7 country. With power demand in Ontario expected to rise 75% by 2050, the project is part of a broader strategy to deploy both large and small nuclear technologies to meet future clean energy needs.
Westinghouse Electric Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pabineau and Eel River Bar First Nations to explore deploying its AP300 small modular reactor at the Port of Belledune in New Brunswick. The agreement also includes assessing long-duration energy storage solutions and supports Indigenous involvement in clean energy development. As rightsholders at the port, the First Nations communities aim to drive economic and environmental progress while positioning themselves as key partners in Canada's nuclear innovation.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved an amendment to Ontario Power Generation’s licence, allowing the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station to produce medical isotopes lutetium-177 and yttrium-90 at Unit 2. These isotopes are used in targeted cancer therapies. The decision follows a written public hearing and confirms OPG’s qualifications to safely carry out the new activities through November 2025.
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Trump Unleashes US Nuclear Renaissance with Bold Executive Orders
Fox News, May 24
1st Thoughts – Four Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy
Neutron Bytes, May 24
Four Nuclear Executive Orders Signed, and There Is a Long Way to Go
The Breakthrough Institute, May 23
Here’s How Fusion Energy Could Power Your Home or an AI Data Center
CNBC, May 22
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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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