French company says manufacturing could begin in 2027
Framatome’s nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Richland, Washington, has received approval by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a licence amendment supporting fabrication of fuel with increased uranium enrichments.
The French company said the milestone is a major step towards delivery of fuel with enrichment levels above 5 weight percent (wt%) U-235, with manufacturing scheduled to begin in 2027.
The approval supports Washington’s Advanced Fuel Management programme, which focuses on bringing advanced nuclear fuel technologies to the existing US nuclear fleet.
