Nuclear projects demand precision, trust, and proven expertise. Element supports utilities, manufacturers, and engineering teams with testing and qualification services that keep systems safe, compliant, and ready to perform—delivering data-driven insight to meet regulations and extend asset life.
The investment firm Energy Capital Partners (ECP) is to reacquire nuclear services company EnergySolutions from TriArtisan Capital Advisors, it was announced yesterday. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.
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The governments of Kentucky and McCracken County have granted preliminary approval to Global Laser Enrichment for a comprehensive incentive package to support the development of the North Carolina–based company’s planned Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility in the western part of the state. The performance-based incentive package would provide as much as $98.9 million in tax incentives and other economic incentives—provided that GLE reaches the required thresholds in investments and job creation.
In addition, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has completed a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) in response to GLE’s application to construct and operate the PLEF. Members of the public can submit comments on the draft EIS by May 11 for consideration by the NRC.
The nuclear space is full of companies eager to power new AI development. At the same time, many AI companies want to provide services to the nuclear industry. It should come as no surprise, then, that two new partnerships have recently been announced that further bridge the AI and nuclear sectors.
AtkinsRéalis has announced a partnership with Nvidia that aims to leverage Nvidia’s technologies to deploy “nuclear-powered, large-scale AI factories.” Centrus Energy has announced a partnership with Palantir Technologies to use Palantir’s software in support of Centrus’s plans to expand enrichment capacity.
The American Bureau of Shipping has joined a joint development project with the HD Hyundai divisions of Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HD HSHI) to advance the conceptual design and assess the technical feasibility of a nuclear-powered electric propulsion system for large container ships.
The project, “Conceptual Design of a Nuclear-Powered Electric Propulsion System,” will focus on developing the basic design, electrical component specifications, and arrangement plans of a nuclear propulsion system for a 16,000-TEU ship (that is, a massive vessel designed to carry 16,000 20-foot-equivalent units). It would be the first nuclear-powered commercial container vessel.
A newly announced potential joint venture between reactor and fuel-recycling developer Oklo and uranium enricher Centrus Energy could be coming to Ohio. The two companies have agreed to pursue discussions on jointly establishing deconversion services for high-assay low-enriched uranium and other fuel-cycle technologies at Centrus’s uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio, which is adjacent to Oklo's proposed 1.2-GW power campus. That campus, which has been targeted to be on line by 2030, will use Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse microreactor to support data centers for Meta.
Hash Hashemian
president@ans.org
When talking about growth in the nuclear sector, there can be a somewhat myopic focus on increasing capacity from year to year. Certainly, we all feel a degree of excitement when new projects are announced, and such announcements are undoubtedly a reflection of growth in the field, but it’s important to keep in mind that growth in nuclear has many metrics and takes many forms.
Nuclear growth—beyond megawatts—also takes the form of increasing international engagement. That engagement looks like newcomer countries building their nuclear sectors for the first time. It also looks like countries with established nuclear sectors deepening their connections and collaborations. This is one of the reasons I have been focused throughout my presidency on bringing more international members and organizations into the fold of the American Nuclear Society.
Here is a recap of recent industry happenings:
Supply chain contract signed for Aurora
Oklo, the California-based developer of the Aurora Powerhouse sodium-cooled fast-neutron reactor, has signed a contract with Siemens Energy that is meant to de-risk supply chain and production timeline challenges for Oklo. Under the terms, Siemens will design and deliver the power conversion system for the Powerhouse, which is to be deployed at Idaho National Laboratory.
General Fusion has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. (SVAC) that would make General Fusion the first publicly traded pure-play fusion firm, the company announced on January 22. The business combination is projected to be completed in mid-2026.
London-based professional services organization and maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register has brought together a group of experts from the U.K. nuclear, maritime, insurance, and regulatory sectors with the primary goal of establishing international standards “for safe, secure, and commercially viable nuclear-powered ships.”
This Maritime Nuclear Consortium includes Lloyd’s Register as the group’s lead, safety administrator, and secretariat; Rolls-Royce, specializing in advanced reactor design; Babcock International Group (ship design, construction, and support); Global Nuclear Security Partners (security and safeguards); Stephenson Harwood (legal and regulatory issues); and NorthStandard (insurance).
Nuclear energy is entering a new era—and policymakers are driving that shift. Governors, energy advisors, legislators, and regulators play a critical role in shaping state policies and regulations that can support the existing nuclear fleet and can accelerate the development, demonstration, and commercial deployment of next-generation nuclear energy.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a fusion firm headquartered in Devens, Mass., is collaborating with California-based computing infrastructure company NVIDIA and Germany-based technology conglomerate Siemens to develop a digital twin of its SPARC fusion machine. The cooperative work among the companies will focus on applying artificial intelligence and data- and project-management tools as the SPARC digital twin is developed.
Sukesh Aghara
When I wrote “From Quad to Grid” last year (Nuclear News, August 2025, p. 10), I argued that universities could serve as honest brokers in bridging public trust and technical execution for nuclear energy. Since then, state-level interest has surged. Governors and legislatures are no longer debating whether nuclear belongs in the clean energy portfolio—they’re budgeting for it; staffing it; and tying it to jobs, industrial growth, and grid reliability.
This momentum isn’t a sudden change of heart. It’s the result of four timelines that have quietly converged over decades.
The Electric Power Research Institute has launched a global initiative to prepare future grids by modernizing how the electricity-generating sector detects, anticipates, and responds to emerging risks and manages technological transformation. The nonprofit energy research and development organization intends for the initiative, called Rapid Adaptation of Grid Defense, Analytics, and Resilience (RADAR), to provide a scalable framework, advanced tools, and targeted training for strengthening grid resilience and reliability.
Utah-based Creekstone Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EnergySolutions to study the feasibility of building at least 2 gigawatts of advanced nuclear capacity to power a 25-acre data center Creekstone is planning in Delta, Utah.
In a flurry of announcements this week, NextEra Energy confirmed new deals across the energy sector with Symmetry, Meta, Basin Electric, WPPI Energy, and Google. These deals are primarily focused on enabling more nuclear build-out for the artificial intelligence boom.
Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, recently announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management.
Four public electric utilities—three based in Nebraska and one in Oklahoma—recently signed a memorandum of understanding to form the Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium. The first goal of that new consortium is to explore the feasibility of deploying 1–2 GW of new nuclear (potentially in the form of small modular reactors) within Nebraska.
Hash Hashemian
president@ans.org
At the time of this writing, it is only a few days before the American Nuclear Society’s 2025 Winter Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C., which is set to be an unmissable gathering of key nuclear leaders from across the United States and the world. Over the past three weeks, I have been working doggedly to obtain nearly $500,000 in sponsorships and recruit speakers for the conference.
I am thankful for the many generous donors—such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and Constellation—who continue to enable ANS to serve its members, in part by putting on the best conferences we possibly can.
I conducted much of my fundraising and recruitment while I was traveling to represent ANS at various universities, laboratories, and conferences. As I’ve mentioned before, I am focused on developing criteria around where ANS presidents travel to ensure that our resources are spent wisely; I am working with ANS past president Gail Marcus (2001–2002) to develop those criteria now, and in the meantime, I have been judicious in deciding which invitations to accept.
Here is a recap of recent industry happenings:
Agreement signed on advanced nuclear technology in space
Texas-based space technology and orbital logistics developer Space Ocean Corporation and New Mexico–based space nuclear power systems developer Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) have signed a letter of intent to explore the integration of advanced nuclear reactor technology into future space missions. Space Ocean agreed to test SpaceNukes’ 10-kilowatt microreactor aboard its ALV-N satellite and, if performance criteria are met, to use SpaceNukes as a core supplier of reactors for future Space Ocean lunar and planetary missions. The companies also agreed to examine the integration of fluid delivery systems with reactor modules, to collect operational data to support technology readiness certification, and to form a joint working group to pursue additional space infrastructure and commercial opportunities.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined Brigham City Mayor D. J. Bott this week to announce a new partnership among the state, city, Hi Tech Solutions, and Holtec International. The partnership plans to develop a “full-scale nuclear energy ecosystem” based in Brigham City that will feature advanced manufacturing, workforce development, and Holtec’s SMR-300.