Nuclear power developer Antares has signed a multi-year deal to buy advanced fuel from BWXT. The agreement marks an important step toward bringing next-generation reactors to market.

Under the contract, announced today, BWXT Advanced Fuels will produce tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel at its Lynchburg facility in Virginia. 

The agreement initially covers one metric ton of uranium, with options to scale up as demand grows. Deliveries will roll out under future task orders setting exact delivery dates and specifications.

The Virginia production line is already well established. It previously supplied fuel for the US government’s Project Pele and the Antares Mark-0 test reactor. That demonstration unit achieved sustained fission earlier this year using BWXT fuel. Now, the companies want to turn that technical success into commercial output.

“BWXT’s decades of experience in advanced fuel manufacturing give us the foundation to support Antares as they accelerate toward commercial deployment,” said Joe Miller, president of BWXT Government Operations. He noted that the company has refined its fuel fabrication process.

Antares plans to use the fuel in its first electricity-generating system, the Mark-1 reactor, which is scheduled to come online in 2027. Securing the manufacturing line through the decade provides stability for those early commercial operations.

“We achieved criticality with BWXT fuel, and it’s what will power our electricity-producing reactor, Mark-1, in 2027,” said Jordan Bramble, chief executive and co-founder of Antares.

Source link