X-energy launches $2 billion nuclear fuel facility in Tennessee

In the United States, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee is at the forefront of nuclear fuel production. A group of workers from X-energy is engaged in developing advanced fuel technology. This initiative includes the production of unique fuel orbs that contain enriched uranium in small black spheres, aimed at powering the next generation of nuclear reactors. These developments are taking place in a small facility of 3,000 square feet, but they signal a much larger ambition within the country’s nuclear power sector. The Energy Department has invested in this new era of nuclear energy, emphasizing the importance of domestic production to reduce dependency on foreign fuel sources. Toward this aim, X-energy has initiated a nearly $2 billion project to build a new fuel fabrication facility. This facility will be the first of its kind in the U.S. in over 50 years, highlighting the country's urgent need for advancements in nuclear fuel technology. The facility plans to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), a critical component for advanced nuclear reactors, which are designed to operate more efficiently and with reduced waste. Currently, the U.S. lacks operational next-generation reactors, and only a limited quantity of HALEU is produced domestically. Notably, Centrus Energy achieved a milestone by producing the first 20 kilograms of HALEU in late 2023, in response to the growing demand for clean energy solutions. The goal of the U.S. government is to foster an environment that encourages the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, as articulated in former President Trump's executive orders, which called for enhancing domestic nuclear fuel production. As X-energy prepares for its future production capabilities, plans include the potential operational status of the first factory by late 2027 or early 2028, with capabilities to produce enough fuel for eleven new reactors. A second facility, expected by late 2029, aims to quadruple this output, demonstrating a robust commitment to expanding the nuclear fuel supply chain in the U.S. These significant investments underscore the ambition to meet the rising electricity demands while pushing for sustainable energy solutions, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s energy framework.