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Urenco USA Completes 75% of Current U.S. Uranium Enrichment Capacity Project
08 October 2026 UUSASix installed cascades can produce more than 500,000 SWU annually
EUNICE, NM – Urenco USA announced today the start of production in its sixth cascade of new U.S. uranium enrichment capacity at the National Enrichment Facility. The company is currently in the process of installing 700,000 separative work units (SWU) of new capacity between 2025-2027 through the addition of eight centrifuge cascades to an existing building at the site. Urenco USA expects to install the seventh cascade later this year and the final cascade in the spring of 2027.
The newly installed capacity supports the company’s goal to expand its domestic enrichment production capacity to more than 7 million SWU over the next decade. In 2029, Urenco will begin construction of a new enrichment plant at the facility and will install 2.1 million SWU of new enrichment capacity, with the initial cascades starting production in 2032 and additional cascades installed through 2036.
With the growing interest in increasing U.S. nuclear power capacity, Urenco USA’s expansion of its domestic enrichment capacity will help ensure a long-term, reliable supply of fuel for current and future U.S. reactors, supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s goals to accelerate the deployment of new domestic capacity and strengthen the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain.
“We are consistently delivering new capacity to help fuel the U.S. nuclear industry and allied nations, and our teams are doing it ahead of schedule and on budget,” said Jody Blackshear, Managing Director of Urenco USA. “This experience will support our larger capacity programs in the years ahead as we look to increase our enrichment production by more than 50% to meet the needs of our customers with traditional and advanced reactors.”
Starting in 2027, Urenco USA will also begin to refurbish existing cascades at the site as part of ongoing capital investments in the facility to maintain a long-term, reliable supply of enrichment services for its customers.
About Urenco USA
As America’s only commercial-scale producer of enriched uranium, Urenco USA operates the National Enrichment Facility, a strategic part of America’s energy infrastructure and nuclear fuel supply chain that began operations in 2010. The facility's existing annual capacity of 4.3 million SWU can meet approximately one-third of current U.S. demand for low enriched uranium. More than 500 U.S. employees and long-term contractors work at the site.
With two decades of experience building and operating uranium enrichment capacity in the United States, Urenco USA is uniquely positioned to support U.S. utilities in meeting growing domestic energy needs and in strengthening U.S. energy security. Since its first product shipment in 2012, the company has delivered every customer order on time and to specification, representing more than 50 million SWU of production.
Urenco USA’s essential role in the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain supports the generation of reliable, secure, and sustainable energy for U.S. consumers and businesses. The company focuses on providing safe, cost-effective, and reliable uranium enrichment services for power generation, while working within a framework of high regulatory and safety standards. Urenco USA’s world-class facility in southeastern New Mexico plays a vital role in supporting U.S. energy production, energy security, jobs, and manufacturing. To learn more, visit www.urencousa.com.
Contact:
Jeremy Derryberry
Director of Communications, Urenco USA
jeremy.derryberry@urenco.com
505-975-3844
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About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of uranium enrichment services, fuel cycle products and related solutions with sustainability at the core of our business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for over 50 years, Urenco understands the importance of energy security and facilitates the reliable delivery of low carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office in London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Through our technology and the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services, operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is making a positive contribution to global climate change goals through our core business and we are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We are committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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