UK Set to Lead in Advanced Nuclear Fuel Production with New HALEU Facility
Costain has been selected by Urenco to undertake the front-end engineering design (FEED) for a groundbreaking High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Advanced Fuels Facility in Cheshire. This project positions the UK at the forefront of advanced nuclear fuel production in Europe, marking a significant milestone in the country's civil nuclear energy sector.
The facility, to be located at Urenco's Capenhurst site, is designed to produce HALEU, a specialized fuel enriched to contain between 5% and 20% of the fissile isotope U-235. This fuel is essential for powering next-generation reactor technologies, including Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are pivotal to achieving the UK's low-carbon energy goals.
Costain's in-house civil nuclear and engineering team will lead the multi-disciplinary FEED work, with completion targeted for 2027. This phase is crucial for shaping Urenco's advanced fuel enrichment technologies and production capabilities, ensuring the UK's energy system remains secure, resilient, and decarbonized.
Sam White, managing director of natural resources at Costain, highlighted the project's significance, stating it will cement the UK's status as a world leader in the civil nuclear energy market. The collaboration between Costain, Urenco, and the wider supply chain aims to design a state-of-the-art fuel facility that meets the future demands of clean and secure nuclear energy, both domestically and internationally.
