Westinghouse Electric Company has received the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval to increase the burnup limit for its Westinghouse Encore® fuel designs. This approval enhances nuclear fuel efficiency, extends time between reactor refuels, and reduces operating costs.
Currently, U.S. Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) operate on 18-month fuel cycles. The new higher burnup fuel will allow for smaller feed batch sizes, improving the economics of fuel cycles. This is the first time nuclear fuel batch reloads in the U.S. will exceed a burnup limit of 62 GWd/MTU, potentially enabling future extensions to 24-month fuel cycles, benefiting utilities with improved economic operation.
“We are very pleased to receive approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for incremental burnup in our nuclear fuel,” said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel. “This milestone marks the beginning of production for nuclear fuel with enhanced capacity for Pressurized Water Reactors, significantly reducing fuel costs for U.S. utility customers.”
The incremental burnup approval is a significant advancement for the Encore® Accident Tolerant Fuel Program, initiated in 2012 and funded by the Department of Energy. This program aims to boost reactor performance and safety, supporting U.S. energy security and climate objectives.
Westinghouse, a leading nuclear fuel supplier, offers a diverse portfolio across various reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER. With world-class manufacturing facilities in the U.S., U.K., and Sweden, Westinghouse is committed to delivering innovative fuel technologies that reduce cycle costs, enhance operational flexibility, and improve safety. The company is also establishing a center of excellence for Low Enriched Uranium Plus (LEU+) fuel manufacturing in South Carolina to minimize plant outages.
Westinghouse Electric Company is at the forefront of carbon-free energy, providing safe, advanced nuclear and clean power technologies globally. Since supplying the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957, Westinghouse’s technology underpins nearly half of the world’s operating nuclear plants. With over 135 years of innovation, Westinghouse remains the preferred partner for advanced nuclear energy solutions.
For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com
