NuScale Power has awarded two new contracts to Framatome to design fuel handling equipment and fuel storage racks for its VOYGR small modular reactor power plant.

The first phase of the USD150 million contract will see demonstration production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at Piketon by the end of 2023. Centrus says it could scale up the facility to commercial production capacity, given sufficient funding.

The USD150 million cost-shared award will see a Centrus Energy Corp subsidiary demonstrate US ability to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for advanced reactors, with an enrichment cascade producing up to 20 kg of HALEU in operation by the end of next year.

Kairos Power has received ASME certification to produce U-stamped pressure vessels at the company's manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico - a significant step towards achieving the N stamp certification required to manufacture nuclear-grade components.

NAC Kazatomprom said it is working to increase the 3500 tU quota limit on its trans-Caspian route, an alternative to shipment via St Petersburg. However, shipments via the alternative route may be subject to delays as it passes through different jurisdictions - Cameco said some material from the Inkai joint venture is currently being held up in Azerbaijan.

Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas and TerraPower are to build the Natrium Fuel Facility at GNF-A's existing site in North Carolina. The facility is part of a major expansion to GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's Wilmington operations that will also support commercial deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor.

The Fusion22 conference in the UK was told that there is a huge potential fusion industry and businesses were urged to get involved in the supply chain now.

The interest in small modular reactors means that building the industrial capacity to produce the numbers required is just one of the challenges for companies as they turn their visions into reality, World Nuclear Symposium heard.

NuScale Power and Polish copper and silver producer KGHM Polska Miedź SA have signed the first task order and a statement of commencement to begin work under the Early Works Agreement signed by the companies earlier this year. Meanwhile, NuScale has signed a contract for the supply of neutron monitoring equipment for use in its small modular reactor.

Key players from the front end of the fuel cycle came together at World Nuclear Symposium 2022 to discuss where they see the pinch points in meeting the needs of expanding nuclear generating capacity to meet decarbonisation goals, and the certainty they need to ensure future needs can be met.

Centrus and GLE have welcomed the USD700 million support package to develop high-assay low-enriched uranium included in the US Inflation Reduction Act to develop the infrastructure needed to fuel next generation of nuclear reactors.

The 25th batch of electrical equipment has been delivered, in 14 trailers, to the construction site of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in the south of France.