Framatome signed a major commercial contract to deliver a new nuclear fuel to an operating U.S. reactor. For the first time, an active reactor will get a fuel reload with uranium-235 enriched above the industry standard of 5 percent.

The first delivery of this fuel is set for spring 2028, part of Framatome’s Advanced Fuel Management (AFM) program. This contract includes options for more reloads down the line. This new setup lets the U.S. customer stretch their reactor’s fuel cycle from 18 to 24 months.

A fuel cycle is the period of time a nuclear reactor continuously operates between refueling outages. Adding six months results in fewer shutdowns, greater efficiency, and more overall power generation.

The technology builds on standard GAIA fuel, Framatome’s top design for pressurized water reactors. Additionally, it improves what the industry calls burnup rates. Simply put, burnup rates refer to the amount of thermal energy you can extract from a specific amount of nuclear fuel as it undergoes fission.

Getting higher rates means they squeeze more energy out of the fuel they already have. The U.S. Department of Energy helped make this happen through its Accident Tolerant Fuel program.

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Making Advanced Nuclear Fuel Happen

Uranium dioxide (UO₂) nuclear fuel pellets; Photo: Framatome

This advanced fuel will be manufactured at Framatome’s facility in Richland, Washington. The team there spent the last four years upgrading the plant to handle the new technology. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted them official approval to produce fuel with increased uranium enrichment and higher burnup limits.

“This contract reflects the strength of our long-standing relationship with our customer and our shared commitment to advancing nuclear fuel technology,” Lionel Gaiffe, Framatome’s Senior Executive Vice President of the Fuel Business Unit, said. “Collaborating on this milestone project underscores the trust our customers place in Framatome’s expertise and the innovative capabilities of our Advanced Fuel Management technology.”