Framatome has achieved a significant milestone in enhancing fuel capabilities for the U.S. light water reactor fleet with the acceptance of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review the topical report on “High Burnup for Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)”. Submitted in November 2024, the report supports Framatome’s GAIA and HTP fuel designs, enabling increased fuel burnup to boost operational efficiency and flexibility for nuclear plant operators.
This submittal is part of Framatome’s Advanced Fuel Management (AFM) program, which focuses on bringing innovative nuclear fuel technologies that include uranium oxide (UO2) pellets with higher enrichment levels and methodologies that support higher fuel burnups for the existing U.S. nuclear fleet. These innovative solutions provide safe, reliable and economical fuel cycles and support cycle length extensions from 18 to 24 months for a large segment of the U.S. reactor fleet. By extending fuel burnup capabilities, plant operators can optimize fuel utilization, reduce waste and support the continued generation of clean and sustainable energy.
“This milestone reinforces our commitment to delivering the safest, most advanced and economical fuel solutions to our customers and the industry,” said Ala Alzaben, Executive Vice President of the North America Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. “Building on decades of expertise, these technologies enhance performance for nuclear plant operators, address today’s energy challenges and ensure long-term sustainability.”
This submittal and acceptance complement Framatome’s other recent advancements to deliver higher enriched fuel to the industry. The NRC recently approved the application of the company’s suite of PWR Advanced Codes and Methods to operating conditions with U-235 enrichments exceeding the standard of 5 wt%. Additionally, the NRC also approved a license amendment allowing Framatome to transport fresh PWR and BWR fuel assemblies within the U.S. with U-235 enrichments up to 8 wt%.
Developed by a global team of experts, GAIA, Framatome’s most advanced PWR fuel technology, and HTP, Framatome’s high thermal performance fuel, are used in reload quantities in the USA and Europe. These cutting-edge fuel technology solutions will be manufactured at Framatome’s facility in Richland, Washington. With over 55 years of fuel manufacturing excellence, this facility plays a key role in delivering the industry’s most advanced nuclear fuel solutions.
