Urenco USA Continues Successful Installation of U.S. Uranium Enrichment Capacity

EUNICE, N.M. – Urenco USA announced today the startup of the fifth cascade of new U.S. uranium enrichment capacity at its New Mexico facility. The cascade began production on June 22, continuing the company’s successful track record of bringing new cascades online ahead of schedule and on budget. 

The new cascade is part of the current capacity program at the facility to install 700,000 separative work units (SWU) of enrichment capacity over a two-year period, including three further cascades, by early 2027. The facility has an existing annual capacity of 4.3 million SWU, which is approximately one-third of current U.S. demand. 

Urenco USA’s capacity program supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s goals to accelerate the deployment of new domestic capacity and to strengthen the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain to meet the expected increase in demand from utilities operating nuclear plants in the United States and allied nations.  

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. In support of that project, Urenco USA has begun construction of a centrifuge storage building at the site, which will house equipment removed from existing cascades until future disposal. The building is on schedule to be completed in early 2027 to support the refurbishments project.

The current capacity installation and refurbishment programs will provide significant experience and data to support future projects that will substantially increase production at the site 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 these multi-billion-dollar investments, installed capacity at the facility will grow to more than 7 million SWU over the next 10 years. 

“The prospects for the U.S. nuclear industry are exciting, and we are supporting it with our current capacity installation and the larger projects in the decade ahead,” said John Kirkpatrick, Managing Director of Urenco USA. “As the U.S. nuclear industry works to grow significantly in the coming years, our teams are demonstrating what is possible when plans become actions and results.”

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 employs more than 500 U.S. employees and long-term contractors.

With nearly 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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