Topic
Fuel & Supply Chain
Nuclear fuel is the buildout's quiet constraint: most advanced reactors need HALEU that Western enrichers are only now contracting to produce, while uranium, conversion and fabrication capacity race demand. NNN follows the contracts, allocations and facilities securing supply.
Start here: TRISO fuel, explained — NNN's reference piece on this topic.
The 7 nuclear stories that mattered this week
TVA won a landmark SMR construction permit as US-Korea reactor plans, Holtec's Palisades application and new projects shaped a pivotal week in nuclear energy.
The U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain, explained
U.S. uranium output reached 2.1 million pounds in 2025, but domestic mines supplied just 7% of reactor uranium deliveries as enrichment investment expands.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
USDA opened nuclear financing for rural co-ops, Blue Energy filed with the NRC, and fuel and reactor plans advanced from Vietnam to the UK.
Centrus and Antares sign multi-year HALEU supply contract
Centrus signed a multi-year HALEU supply contract with Antares Nuclear, with deliveries before 2030 and customer prepayments funding its Piketon expansion.
Saudi Arabia's 110-million-tonne uranium claim lights up IAEA week
Saudi Arabia announced 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore at Jabal Sayid at the IAEA General Conference, igniting fuel-security debate online.
Cameco signs exclusive offtake for all Paducah laser-enrichment output
Cameco will buy all future output from GLE's planned Paducah laser-enrichment plant under an exclusive offtake, anchoring demand for SILEX-made fuel.
NNSA market-sounds ~4M lbs/yr of U.S. uranium through the 2040s
The NNSA wants ~4M lbs/yr of U.S.-mined uranium through the 2040s, more than double projected 2025 output. Producer registration closes Sept 15.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
From a $100B-plus Korea-US reactor package to a Duane Arnold restart and Zaporizhzhia's grid return, this week's nuclear story was execution.
Centrus to supply Radiant with HALEU for Kaleidos microreactors
Definitive multi-year HALEU supply contract: Centrus will fuel Radiant's Kaleidos microreactors, with unobligated US-origin deliveries before 2030.
The 8 nuclear stories that mattered this week
Palisades loads fuel as the NRC flags restart lapses, Rosatom signs Kazakhstan's first EPC, Tennessee licenses fusion and US uranium output triples.
US uranium production more than triples in 2025
US uranium concentrate production rose to 2.1 million pounds in 2025, more than triple 2024 output, as drilling and industry employment also climbed.
India and Uzbekistan advance long-term uranium arrangement
India and Uzbekistan reported progress on a long-term uranium supply arrangement as their leaders set a $5 billion trade target for 2030.
The 6 nuclear stories that mattered this week
This week's six consequential nuclear stories span U.S. defense microreactors, a 13-project DOE fast track, European construction and climate-linked operations.
HALEU, explained: the fuel advanced reactors need
HALEU is uranium enriched above 5% and below 20% U-235 — the fuel most advanced reactors need, with U.S. supply still at demonstration scale.
NRIC picks 13 projects for Nuclear Energy Launch Pad's second round
DOE's NRIC picked 13 projects from 12 developers for the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad on Aug. 24. Eight are first-time entrants; six will build on INL land.
NRC opens hearing window for Orano’s Project Ike
The NRC opened a 60-day hearing window for Orano’s $5 billion Project Ike enrichment plant and targets a 12-month license review.
FANCO tells NRC it plans HALEU fuel facility
FANCO docketed an NRC engagement plan for a Category II HALEU fuel facility supporting its 240 MWe EAGL-1 reactor and other customers.
Urenco breaks ground on New Mexico enrichment expansion
Urenco began a 2.1 million SWU expansion at its New Mexico enrichment plant, with first new cascades planned for 2032 and more through 2036.
NexGen breaks ground on Rook I uranium mine in Saskatchewan
NexGen broke ground on the Rook I uranium project in Saskatchewan — a four-year build toward 30 million lb/yr, backed by 239.6 million lb of probable reserves.
The 7 nuclear stories that mattered this week
From China's eight-reactor approval to Zaporizhzhia's power risk, this week's nuclear news was about turning plans, fuel and regulation into operating reality.
X-energy and Centrus sign HALEU deal for Xe-100
X-energy and Centrus signed a phased LEU and HALEU enrichment agreement tied to initial Xe-100 fuel needs across an 11.5 GW commercial pipeline.
DOE names five states for nuclear fuel-cycle campus finalists
DOE picked Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah as finalists for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses after 28 applications from 26 states.
NRC clears Framatome Richland for TRISO fuel work
NRC approved Framatome Richland to handle under 10% U-235 and make TRISO fuel; Lightbridge and QNI also signed a HALEU supply MoU.
TRISO fuel, explained
TRISO is coated-particle nuclear fuel that keeps fission products inside ceramic layers — the form many advanced reactors and microreactors now specify.
India-Australia uranium deal tightens the fuel-supply story
Australia's uranium export pact with India lands as X commentators point to a tighter uranium market, India's 100 GW goal, and rising fuel demand.
Centrus signs $900M DOE task order to scale HALEU production
Centrus says it signed a $900 million DOE task order to commercialize HALEU output, with first capacity by 2029 and total value up to $1.07 billion.
DOE to offer $17.5bn in nuclear supply chain loans
The US Department of Energy is offering up to $17.5bn in supply-chain loans to rebuild the nuclear industrial base and back ten new large reactors.
