What is the scale and timeline of Urenco's US uranium enrichment expansion, and what fuel types will it produce?

Urenco USA is expanding its New Mexico facility by nearly 50%, adding 2.1 million separative work units (SWU) of annual enrichment capacity to its existing 4.3 million SWU, for a total capacity of approximately 6.4 million SWU; the expansion will install up to 24 cascades of gas-centrifuge enrichment equipment, with initial units coming online in 2032 and additional ones installed through 2036; the facility will produce low-enriched uranium (LEU) enriched up to 5% for existing reactors, and also has the capability to produce LEU+ (up to 10% enrichment) and feedstock for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) enriched up to 20%, intended for next-generation nuclear plants including small modular reactors.

Why is Urenco expanding its US enrichment capacity despite not winning recent US government contracts?

Urenco’s expansion is driven by signed, long-term contracts with US customers and rising global demand — its order book reached a record €21.3 billion ($24.78 billion) at the end of 2025, up 14% from 2024 — and aligns with the upcoming 2028 full implementation of the US ban on enriched uranium imports from Russia, which currently supplies up to 25% of US uranium; although Urenco did not win any of the $2.7 billion in US Department of Energy orders awarded in January to competitors like Centrus, General Matter, and Orano, its investment is commercially backed and strategically timed to fill domestic supply gaps and support both existing and next-generation nuclear power needs.

Urenco expanding US uranium enrichment capacity nearly 50% to supply nuclear plants

Jun 2, 2026

Urenco USA announced a nearly 50% expansion of its New Mexico uranium enrichment facility to meet growing nuclear demand and reduce reliance on Russian imports. The project adds 2.1 million SWU capacity, supported by a record $24.78 billion global order book.

reuters

2026-06-02

Urenco expanding US uranium enrichment capacity nearly 50% to supply nuclear plants

Urenco expanding US uranium enrichment capacity nearly 50% to supply nuclear plants

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