Framatome and NuScale Expand Strategic Fuel Manufacturing Partnership
Framatome and NuScale Power have expanded their long-standing partnership to include Framatome’s European facilities for nuclear fuel fabrication while also notifying the company’s Richland, Washington facility to prepare for manufacturing fuel for NuScale’s small modular reactor technology over the next five years. The expanded collaboration leverages Framatome’s global manufacturing network to support NuScale in meeting growing nuclear energy demand across both the United States and Europe. The new agreement builds upon the companies’ exclusive fuel manufacturing contract originally signed in 2015.
European Facilities to Support Future SMR Deployments
Under the expanded collaboration, Framatome’s European fuel fabrication facilities will be used to produce fuel assemblies for NuScale’s future small modular reactor projects serving European customers. These facilities will play a key role in supporting the deployment of the NuScale Power Module, commonly known as the NPM. The NPM is classified as a Generation III+ nuclear reactor design and incorporates a fuel architecture derived from Framatome’s established pressurized water reactor fuel technology, which has decades of operational reliability and safety performance across the global nuclear industry.
Richland Facility to Qualify for U.S. SMR Fuel Production
Framatome has also received formal notice to qualify its Richland, Washington manufacturing facility to produce and deliver the NuFUEL-HTP2 nuclear fuel design for NuScale’s U.S. customers. This milestone marks an important step in preparing the facility to support the next phase of SMR deployment in North America. The notification follows Framatome’s original selection in 2015 to fabricate fuel assemblies for NuScale’s U.S. SMR projects.
Initial Production Plans for U.S. Customer Projects
In addition to initiating qualification and manufacturing readiness activities, the notice also directs Framatome to produce at least 444 nuclear fuel assemblies for NuScale’s first U.S. customer project. Production could begin in time to support deployment timelines as early as 2030. The order reflects increasing momentum within the nuclear energy sector as governments and energy providers seek reliable baseload power solutions to support expanding electricity demand and global decarbonization efforts.
Leadership Perspective on Global Fuel Supply
Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President of the Fuel Business Unit at Framatome, emphasized the importance of the collaboration in ensuring reliable nuclear fuel supply for future reactor deployments. He explained that by utilizing Framatome’s advanced manufacturing capabilities in both North America and Europe, the company can provide consistent, high-quality fuel delivery to NuScale’s global customers. Gaiffe noted that the milestone highlights the shared commitment of both companies to advancing sustainable energy systems and strengthening the role of next-generation nuclear technologies in the global energy transition.
Continued Collaboration to Support Deployment Timelines
Carl Fisher, Chief Operating Officer at NuScale Power, highlighted the importance of the partnership in supporting the company’s SMR deployment strategy. He stated that NuScale values its decade-long collaboration with Framatome and views the new agreement as a critical step in ensuring that supply chain and manufacturing objectives are met. According to Fisher, the partnership will help the company maintain project timelines and prepare for the commercial deployment of its advanced nuclear reactor technology around the world.
Advanced NuFUEL-HTP2 Fuel Design
The NuFUEL-HTP2 fuel design incorporates Framatome’s established HTP fuel and spacer grid technology, which has been widely deployed across existing nuclear power plants. This fuel configuration is designed to combine a low pressure drop with strong mechanical integrity and seismic resilience. These characteristics are intended to ensure stable and reliable performance within small modular reactor environments. More than 20,000 HTP fuel assemblies have already been delivered for pressurized water reactors operating in 11 countries, demonstrating the maturity and reliability of the underlying fuel technology.
Extensive Fuel Manufacturing Experience
Framatome’s manufacturing operations in North America and Europe bring extensive expertise to the SMR fuel supply chain. The company’s North American facilities have more than 55 years of nuclear fuel manufacturing experience, while its European facilities contribute more than 50 years of specialized expertise in nuclear fuel design and production. These advanced facilities are strategically positioned to support the next generation of light water reactors as well as emerging advanced reactor technologies.
Richland Facility Licensing and Advanced Fuel Capabilities
The Richland fuel fabrication facility holds a significant position within the nuclear industry. In 2009, the site became the first facility in the sector to receive a 40-year nuclear fuel fabrication license renewal from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. As part of its Advanced Fuel Management program, Framatome plans to modify the facility’s license to enable the production of nuclear fuel containing uranium enriched above 5 percent of U-235. This capability will help support advanced reactor designs and evolving fuel performance requirements in future nuclear power systems.
About NuScale Power
NuScale Power Corporation was founded in 2007 and has become a leading developer of advanced small modular reactor technology. The company’s mission is to help accelerate the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy solutions. Its flagship technology, the NuScale Power Module, is a small pressurized water reactor capable of generating 77 megawatts of electricity or 250 megawatts of thermal output per module. The system can be configured in flexible arrays of up to twelve modules, allowing total plant capacity to reach 924 megawatts of electricity depending on customer requirements.
Applications for Advanced SMR Technology
NuScale’s SMR technology is designed to serve a wide range of applications beyond traditional electricity generation. Potential uses include powering large data centers, providing district heating for urban areas, supporting seawater desalination systems, and enabling commercial-scale hydrogen production. The reactors can also provide industrial process heat for manufacturing and heavy industry, making them a versatile solution for multiple energy-intensive sectors.
Regulatory Milestone for SMR Design Certification
NuScale holds a significant regulatory milestone as the first and currently the only small modular reactor developer to receive design certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This certification confirms that the reactor design meets stringent safety and regulatory requirements, positioning NuScale to deploy its SMR technology globally and supply reliable nuclear energy solutions to utilities, governments, and industrial customers.
About Framatome
Framatome is a global leader in nuclear energy technology recognized for delivering innovative and value-added solutions to the international nuclear fleet. The company provides a broad range of services including reactor components, nuclear fuel, instrumentation and control systems, and digital technologies designed to enhance nuclear plant performance and reliability.
Global Workforce and Mission
Framatome employs more than 22,000 people worldwide and works closely with nuclear operators to deliver safe, reliable, and economically competitive low-carbon energy solutions. Through its engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and digital innovation, the company plays a critical role in supporting the continued operation of existing nuclear plants as well as the development of next-generation reactor technologies aimed at meeting the world’s future energy needs.
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