The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $150m (€146m) cost-shared award with American Centrifuge Operating of Bethesda, Maryland, to demonstrate the nation’s ability to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (Haleu) – a crucial material needed to develop and deploy advanced reactors in the US.

Haleuis required by most US advanced reactors to achieve smaller designs, longer operating cycles, and increased efficiencies over current technologies. It is not currently available at commercial scale from domestic suppliers, a situation that could significantly impact the development and deployment of US advanced reactors, the DOE said.

According to the DOE, advancing domestic capability to produce Haleu will set the stage for larger, commercial-scale Haleu production in the US. This will allow nuclear facilities to power even more homes and businesses with clean, affordable energy while playing a critical role in reaching president Joe Biden’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035.