Orano, a global leader in uranium chemistry and enrichment, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide enrichment services for the production of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU). This contract marks a significant milestone in establishing a domestic HALEU supply chain critical for advanced nuclear reactors.
HALEU is essential for the next generation of nuclear reactors, which are designed to meet the growing demand for clean, stable energy. Orano’s expertise in uranium enrichment, built over decades, ensures that the U.S. will have a reliable source of HALEU to support the nation’s energy transition. The company’s role in the DOE’s HALEU initiative aims to meet increasing energy needs, particularly from tech sectors like AI and data centers, which require large, consistent power sources.
Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO of Orano USA, expressed the company’s commitment to meeting the DOE’s needs: “We are honored to receive this contract and stand ready to support the U.S. nuclear industry by establishing a robust HALEU supply chain for advanced reactors.”
Orano’s planned American HALEU enrichment facility will use proven ultracentrifugation technology to rapidly and securely produce HALEU without needing further research and development. The facility will be based at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, leveraging Orano’s long-standing relationship with the DOE. This project follows the company’s recent decision to increase the capacity of its Georges Besse II enrichment facility in France by over 30%, reinforcing Orano’s global capabilities.
Orano will partner with industry leaders such as Kiewit, Spectra Tech, Shine Technologies, and Navarro to deliver the project. Together, they bring decades of industrial expertise and a proven track record of performance, ensuring the successful execution of this critical project.
