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Statement: U-Battery
20 March 2023
As an organisation which is committed to supporting the generation of low carbon electricity globally, and helping the world to decarbonise, Urenco is a strong advocate for new nuclear and wishes to see advanced reactors deployed globally.
Our core expertise is in our ability to provide a diverse supply of enrichment services, which remains our focus, and we have realigned our business strategy to prioritise a capacity programme to meet rapidly increasing demand.
We are also fully committed to the evolution of the nuclear fuel cycle through the production of advanced fuels, including LEU+, to power current and next generation technologies.
It is with regret, therefore, that we can no longer continue our support of the U-Battery Advanced Modular Reactor project, having exhausted our attempts to secure the commitment of new commercial investors.
The U-Battery team has completed its current programme of work under the AMR RD&D programme, and after dialogue and consultation with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and with other stakeholders, Urenco’s intention is to preserve the public investment in U-Battery by transferring its intellectual property to the National Nuclear Laboratory, subject to necessary due diligence and governance approvals.
Chris Chater, Chief Technology Officer, said: “We are proud of the progress the U-Battery team have made to date; from a conceptual design developed by the Universities of Manchester (UK) and Delft (the Netherlands) to successfully winning UK Government backing as part of AMR competitions from 2018 onwards.
“While Urenco has refocused its priorities, we continue to believe in the U-Battery design which could provide an innovative decarbonisation solution for hard to abate sectors.”
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of enrichment services and fuel cycle products with sustainability at the core of its business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for 50 years, Urenco facilitates zero carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office near 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. Using centrifuge technology designed and developed by Urenco, and through 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 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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