WILMINGTON, North Carolina (October 6, 2025) – Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), a nuclear fuel partnership led by GE Vernova in collaboration with Hitachi, Ltd., has announced the launch of GNF4, its latest-generation boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel design developed from more than six decades of reactor fuel innovation and operational experience.

The newly introduced 11×11 GNF4 fuel assembly expands on the proven performance of previous GNF2 and GNF3 platforms while integrating two advanced technologies already licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Ziron fuel cladding and aluminosilicate-enhanced uranium dioxide fuel pellets.

The Ziron cladding material was engineered to improve corrosion resistance and strengthen long-term fuel reliability and operational safety. It represents an advancement over the Zircaloy-2 material previously used in over 175,000 GNF fuel assemblies globally. The aluminosilicate-enhanced fuel pellets are designed to further improve durability and operational stability. GNF4 will additionally incorporate the company’s proprietary NSF channel material and Defender+ debris filter technology.

“GNF4 was developed to help nuclear operators achieve lower generation costs while enhancing fuel reliability and reactor performance,” said Craig Ranson, Installed Base CEO of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. “Our engineering and manufacturing teams are applying decades of boiling water reactor expertise to deliver the next evolution of nuclear fuel technology.”

Manufacturing of GNF4 assemblies is underway at GNF’s fuel production facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Initial lead-use assemblies are scheduled for deployment in 2026, while broader commercial reload quantities are anticipated to become available by 2030.

In addition to fuel manufacturing, GNF offers a broad portfolio of nuclear support services, including fuel cycle engineering, reactor core management, reload licensing support, predictive operational analytics, fuel reliability assessments, cyber-secure monitoring systems, fuel inspection services, and consulting for reactor operations and long-term storage strategies.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a global energy company focused on power generation, electrification, and wind technologies, supported by accelerator businesses that help advance energy innovation. Drawing on more than 130 years of industrial experience, the company is focused on supporting electrification while advancing decarbonization efforts worldwide. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GE Vernova operates in around 100 countries and employs approximately 85,000 people globally.

About GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Through its strategic alliance with Hitachi, GE Vernova’s nuclear energy division is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel solutions, reactor services, and advanced reactor technologies. Its portfolio includes boiling water reactors and small modular reactor designs such as the BWRX-300. Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), the company’s nuclear fuel business, is recognized as a major supplier of BWR fuel and engineering services worldwide, operating primarily through facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Kurihama, Japan.

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