Westinghouse is investing about $1 billion in a nuclear fuel factory at its existing Columbia site in Hopkins, South Carolina. Construction is underway, and operations are scheduled to begin in 2030. It will be the first US nuclear fuel plant built in more than 50 years at a scale capable of supplying a fleet of reactors.
The factory will produce Low Enriched Uranium Plus, or LEU+. Its uranium enrichment level is between 5% and 8%, higher than standard commercial fuel. With more energy available, reactors can operate longer between required refueling shutdowns, reducing operating costs. The project supports the US UPRISE initiative, which aims to increase electricity production from existing reactors rather than build new reactor vessels. The factory will supply existing commercial reactors and Westinghouse AP1000 reactors worldwide.
Separately, Westinghouse tested its eVinci microreactor in September to study its behavior under extreme heat. The core reached criticality, meaning its nuclear reaction became self-sustaining, at 1,225 degrees Fahrenheit. Engineers also recorded a measurement at a peak core temperature of 1,852 degrees. They will compare the physical results with mathematical models to improve their simulation software before committing to final prototype hardware.
