A £10.5 million contract to lead the development of transport systems for a new form of nuclear fuel to be used in future nuclear power stations has been awarded to Nuclear Transport Solutions.
High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium – known as HALEU fuel – is enriched to a slightly higher level than the Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel currently used in nuclear power plants, and needs new processes and capabilities to enable its production, transportation and use.
The investment – subject to final agreement by the government – would see NTS co-fund and deliver a programme of work alongside government and nuclear sector partners to develop the key technologies, capabilities and equipment required to transport HALEU materials for use in the UK and export overseas.
The development programme includes designing and developing new transport methods for HALEU products to ensure road and maritime transport capacity exists to meet future domestic and international demand.
It comes after the government announced earlier this year it was awarding Urenco £196 million to build a uranium enrichment facility in Capenhurst, Cheshire. The facility will produce fuel by 2031 that would be ready to export or use domestically and could power UK homes in the next decade.
“This funding underlines NTS’ position as leading global providers of safe, secure and reliable nuclear transport and logistics,” Seth Kybird, chief executive officer of NTS, said: “We’re delighted to be working with government and our partners to advance the UK’s future civil nuclear capabilities, and help provide clean, secure and affordable energy.”
The funding, awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), aims to foster the growth of sustainable clean energy supply chains across the UK.
“This funding demonstrates that when it comes to nuclear transport and logistics, the expertise of NTS is second to none,” David Peattie, CEO of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority of which NTS is a part of, added. “The safe and secure transport, disposal and management of nuclear material is crucial to the lifecycle of nuclear power generation. We will continue to work with the UK government, and wider sector, to explore how we can use our capability, knowledge and resources to support greater energy independence.”
Funding will support four key areas of work:
- The development of various HALEU packages which can transport the fuel in its multiple forms
- The development of road transport solution for the domestic transport of HALEU materials to and from UK facilities.
- A maritime solution for the international export of HALEU from the UK
- The creation of a UK HALEU collaborative forum for industry partners
“Developing our own advanced nuclear fuel gives the UK a competitive edge in the global nuclear industry, as part of our plans to become a clean energy superpower,” Minister for Energy Security & Net Zero, Lord Hunt, said. “As well as ensuring the UK supply chain is fully equipped to transport HALEU fuel, this funding will boost our energy security and reduce the world’s reliance on Russian fuel, all while providing good quality jobs and bolstering economic growth in Capenhurst and across the wider North West.”
