The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the start of a new pilot programme to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear reactors and strengthen domestic supply chains for nuclear fuel.

The DOE said it had issued a request for application and is seeking qualified US companies to build and operate nuclear fuel production lines.

It said the initiative will help end the US’s reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium and critical materials, while opening the door for private sector investment in the country’s nuclear renaissance.