GE Vernova Cleared for Higher Enrichment Nuclear Fuel Manufacturing

WILMINGTON, North Carolina, February 14, 2024 – GE Vernova’s Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) division has received authorization from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to produce, transport, and evaluate nuclear fuel with Uranium-235 enrichments of up to 8 weight percent.

“These approvals mark a significant advancement in our long-standing tradition of designing and manufacturing nuclear fuel,” stated Mike Chilton, Executive Vice President of GNF. “We are committed to ongoing innovation to enhance plant efficiency for our customers and to support emerging reactor technologies with adaptable and dependable fuel products as the industry advances toward higher enrichment use.”

With the NRC’s recent approval of GNF’s fuel fabrication license amendment, the Wilmington, NC facility becomes the first commercial site in the U.S. licensed to produce fuel with enrichments up to 8 weight percent. Additionally, the NRC has granted a Certificate of Compliance for GNF to ship fuel bundles with up to 8 weight percent enrichment using their RAJ-II shipping container. Licensing topical reports for advanced nuclear methods have also been approved, allowing GNF to assess fuel with enrichments exceeding 5 weight percent.

These regulatory achievements are partly due to GNF and GE Vernova’s Advanced Research division’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Program. GNF is advancing fuel technologies that enhance accident tolerance and operational flexibility, while also improving bundle efficiency to sustain economic performance.

Higher enrichment fuels are expected to enhance nuclear fuel cycle economics, including power uprates for existing boiling water reactors, and support the next generation of reactor technologies, such as advanced and small modular reactors.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova is a globally focused energy company comprising Power, Wind, and Electrification businesses, backed by Advanced Research, Consulting Services, and Financial Services. Leveraging over 130 years of experience, GE Vernova is leading the charge in electrifying and decarbonizing the world. The company aids customers in powering economies and delivering essential electricity for health, safety, security, and an improved quality of life. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GE Vernova employs over 80,000 people across 100+ countries.

GE Vernova’s Nuclear Power business, through a global partnership with Hitachi, is a leading provider of nuclear fuel bundles, services, and advanced nuclear reactor designs, including boiling water reactors and small modular reactors like the BWRX-300. GNF, a GE Vernova-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd., is a premier supplier of boiling water reactor fuel and related engineering services, operating mainly through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, NC, and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.

The mission of GE Vernova is reflected in its name – “GE” symbolizes its legacy of quality and innovation. “Ver” / “verde” signifies Earth’s lush ecosystems, while “Nova” from Latin “novus” indicates a new era of lower carbon energy. Guided by the purpose, “The Energy to Change the World,” GE Vernova is dedicated to providing an affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.

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