France's Framatome has signed a memorandum of understanding with Czech utility ČEZ on the development of fuel for VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors. ČEZ operates two VVER-1000 units at its Temelín plant.

Iran says it has three nuclear energy reactors under construction, with site and technology selection processes under way for more - and has also outlined planned nuclear fuel cycle and research reactor developments.

US uranium production continues to grow, with 2024's year-to-date production already more than triple that recorded for the whole of 2023, according to the latest figures from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Meanwhile, as press reports suggest US concern that its ban on Russian uranium might be being circumvented, the Office of the United States Trade Representative has announced updated tariffs on Chinese imports - but not for import codes relating to the nuclear industry.

The third 18-month cycle of operation of accident tolerant fuel has begun at Rostov nuclear power plant unit 2, Rosatom has announced.

Leading figures from across the fuel cycle say they are ready to meet increased demand, but set out areas where change is required to help make it happen, in a World Nuclear Symposium session.

Brazil's Eletronuclear says the first phase of the second campaign to move used fuel from Angra 2 to its on-site used fuel dry storage facility has been successfully completed, with 480 used fuel elements transferred.

The first batch of VVER-440 fuel assemblies supplied by Westinghouse has been loaded into unit 2 of Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant.

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited now expects the reprocessing plant and mixed-oxide fuel plant under construction at Rokkasho in Japan's Aomori Prefecture to be completed during fiscal years 2026 and 2027, respectively.

In a first for the USA, the country's nuclear regulator has approved an increase in the burnup limit for Westinghouse's Encore accident tolerant fuel design, paving the way for longer and more economic fuel cycles.
 

Westinghouse has produced the first of its nuclear fuel pellets that contain higher enrichment levels than what is currently used in commercial reactors. The Low Enriched Uranium Plus Advanced Doped Pellet Technology fuel pellets are aimed at boosting both the performance and safety of nuclear power plants.

The UK government has launched a competition for funding up to GBP70 million (USD90 million) to support the development of a commercial HALEU deconversion facility in the country.

Slovak utility Slovenské elektrárne has signed a contract with France's Framatome for the long-term supply of nuclear fuel to the VVER-440 reactors at its Bohunice and Mochovce plants, starting from 2027.