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Project delivery key to nuclear’s future, conference hears
15 April 2025 Global NewsDelivering more projects on time and to budget can help the nuclear industry maintain and prolong the momentum it has found in the last few years, a global conference has been told.
Urenco’s Head of Commercial Intelligence, John-Paul Jones, told the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 that nuclear needed to harness its current momentum. This has seen nuclear energy included in successive commitments at United Nations’ COP events, and countries investing in new builds and SMRs as well as maintaining their current nuclear fleets.
John-Paul stressed that the delivery of projects was key to going moving forward successfully.
There have been large-scale reactor success stories in recent years such as the Barakah plant in the United Arab Emirates.
More of these examples could help further increase confidence in nuclear as we look to increase its role in the energy mix that will serve the increasing need for reliable, baseload clean energy.
John-Paul took part in a panel on April 9 at the conference in Montreal, Canada, entitled Enriching the Future – Opportunities and Challenges.
Sitting alongside industry colleagues from Orano, LIS technologies and Centrus, John-Paul alluded to the success of Urenco’s USA enrichment plant in Eunice, New Mexico, the only commercial enrichment facility in the country, which has now been running for almost 15 years. It was built solely through the backing of Urenco customers with no government funding required.
Our capacity programmes at Urenco are similar to the ways in which the nuclear industry is approaching the expansion of nuclear Gigawatt capacity.
For our customers, they look to reactor life extensions, uprates, refurbishments and new builds. We are tackling an array of projects at all our sites, including life extensions and refurbishments. Our new build capacity of 1.8 million SWU is currently on track to deliver in the Netherlands, Germany and in the USA.
The first new centrifuges are to be installed in the US this year.
While government subsidies are not required for the established LEU fuel market, John-Paul said, they can boost market signals which encourage investment decisions.
Stable long-term government policies in favour of nuclear energy are also vital to support potential expansions in the fuel supply chain.
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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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