Westinghouse Electric Company has marked a significant milestone in nuclear fuel technology with the production of its Low Enriched Uranium (LEU+) ADOPT™ pellets at the Springfields Fuel Manufacturing Facility in the UK. This achievement, reached in collaboration with Southern Nuclear and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, promises to enhance fuel cycle safety and reduce operational costs for reactors.
The LEU+ ADOPT™ pellets, which contain up to 8% uranium-235 (U-235) by weight, represent an advance over the standard uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel. This new fuel formulation includes additives designed to improve safety performance and efficiency compared to conventional uranium fuel. By increasing the uranium-235 content, LEU+ ADOPT™ enables reactors to generate more power with fewer fuel replacements, thereby optimising nuclear fuel cycle economics.
Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, highlighted the significance of this development: “The first production of LEU+ ADOPT™ fuel is a key step towards extending fuel cycles and lowering operational costs within the nuclear industry. This milestone, part of our EnCore® Accident Tolerant Fuel programme, is set to provide safer, more cost-effective, and reliable energy solutions globally.”
The new LEU+ ADOPT™ fuel, with enrichment levels between 5% and 10%, is anticipated to meet the growing demand for carbon-free electricity, which will likely increase the need for such advanced nuclear fuels. The fuel’s ability to extend the time between outages in nuclear plants is expected to contribute significantly to the efficiency and reliability of energy production.
Westinghouse, a leading nuclear fuel supplier, is renowned for its diverse portfolio across various reactor types including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER. The company operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the UK, and the United States, and is focused on delivering innovative fuel technologies. In response to rising demands, Westinghouse is establishing a centre of excellence for LEU+ fuel manufacturing in South Carolina to further support the nuclear industry’s needs.
With over 135 years of experience, Westinghouse continues to play a pivotal role in advancing nuclear energy technologies. The company, which supplied the world’s first commercial pressurised water reactor in 1957, remains a leading force in the global energy sector, dedicated to providing safe and innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
For more information on Westinghouse’s nuclear fuel advancements and other energy technologies, visit their website at www.westinghousenuclear.com.
