What happened
The US government allocated a total of $2.7 billion to three nuclear fuel manufacturers, including Centrus Energy Corp., with each receiving $900 million. This funding initiates the restart of domestic nuclear fuel production, specifically aiming to reduce reliance on enriched Russian uranium. This action alters the supply chain for nuclear power generation within the US, driven by increasing power demand from artificial intelligence.
Why it matters
This initiative introduces a new operational constraint by mandating a shift towards domestically produced nuclear fuel, thereby reducing reliance on existing foreign supply chains. This transition places an increased burden on procurement and supply chain management teams to establish and qualify new domestic suppliers. It also raises due diligence requirements for ensuring the stability and capacity of the nascent domestic production infrastructure, impacting long-term operational planning for nuclear power generation.
