Framatome advances nuclear fuel innovation as U.S. NRC reviews high burnup fuel report

Framatome advances nuclear fuel innovation as U.S. NRC reviews high burnup fuel report
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Mar 11, 2025

Framatome has reached a key milestone in nuclear fuel advancement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) accepting its topical report on "High Burnup for Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)" for review. Submitted in November 2024, this report underpins Framatome's GAIA and HTP fuel designs, which aim to extend fuel burnup and enhance operational efficiency for nuclear power plants in the United States.

This submission is a component of Framatome's Advanced Fuel Management (AFM) program, which focuses on innovative nuclear fuel technologies, including uranium oxide (UO2) pellets with higher enrichment levels and methodologies for extended fuel burnups. These advancements offer plant operators greater flexibility by enabling fuel cycles to extend from 18 to 24 months, optimizing fuel use while reducing waste and supporting clean energy generation.

"This milestone reinforces our commitment to delivering the safest, most advanced, and economical fuel solutions to our customers and the industry," stated Ala Alzaben, Executive Vice President of Framatome's North America Fuel Business Unit. "Building on decades of expertise, these technologies enhance performance for nuclear plant operators, address today's energy challenges, and ensure long-term sustainability."

The acceptance of this report follows Framatome's recent progress in providing higher enriched nuclear fuel to the industry. The NRC recently approved the application of Framatome's suite of PWR Advanced Codes and Methods to operating conditions utilizing U-235 enrichments above 5 wt%. Furthermore, the NRC granted a license amendment allowing Framatome to transport fresh PWR and BWR fuel assemblies within the U.S. with U-235 enrichments reaching up to 8 wt%.

Framatome's GAIA and HTP fuel technologies, developed by a global team of experts, are already deployed in reload quantities across the United States and Europe. These advanced fuel solutions will be manufactured at Framatome's facility in Richland, Washington, which has over 55 years of experience in nuclear fuel production and continues to play a crucial role in delivering cutting-edge nuclear fuel solutions to the industry.