Doosan Enerbility Secures Second Contract for Chinese Nuclear Steam Generator Forgings

Doosan Enerbility has been contracted to supply steam generator forgings for units 5 and 6 of the Laiyang Nuclear Power Project in Shandong province, China. The order, signed with Dongfang Electric International and Dongfang Heavy Machinery—subsidiaries of Dongfang Electric Group—calls for delivery of eight forged components by 2029.

The contract specifies four channel heads and four tube sheets, critical materials in nuclear steam generator construction. Each forging measures approximately 5 metres in diameter and weighs up to 130 tonnes. Doosan Enerbility will manufacture the components at its Changwon headquarters facility using a 17,000-tonne press and ultra-large forging technologies.

Project Context

The Laiyang plant will eventually comprise six Guohe One reactors, an enlarged variant of the CAP1000 pressurised water reactor derived from Westinghouse's AP1000 design. State Power Investment Corporation is responsible for investment, construction, and operation of the facility. Two units received approval during a State Council executive meeting in July 2026.

This contract represents Doosan Enerbility's second order for Laiyang components. The company previously secured a supply agreement for units 3 and 4, and has supplied steam generator forgings for the Haiyang nuclear plant, also located in Shandong province and equipped with AP1000 reactors.

Market Position

Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility, characterised the repeat order as validation of the company's technological and quality standing in China's nuclear market. The successive contracts underscore sustained demand for large-scale forged components in China's nuclear expansion programme and reflect Doosan Enerbility's established capability in ultra-large forging manufacturing for the global nuclear supply chain.

Urenco Expands US Enrichment Capacity by 50% with USD8 Billion Investment

Urenco has begun construction on a significant expansion of its US uranium enrichment operations at the National Enrichment Facility in Eunice, New Mexico. The project represents a nearly 50% increase in the company's domestic capacity and involves a multi-billion-dollar investment now exceeding USD8 billion at the site.

The expansion will install 2.1 million separative work units (SWU) of new enrichment capacity using gas-centrifuge technology deployed across 24 cascades. Initial production from the new cascades is scheduled to begin in 2032, with additional cascades coming online through 2036.

The facility currently operates with an annual capacity of 4.3 million SWU and is completing a separate project adding 700,000 SWU by 2027. The new expansion will enable the National Enrichment Facility to serve a larger share of US commercial reactor enrichment needs, which currently account for approximately one-third of domestic demand.

Market Drivers and Supply Chain Impact

The expansion responds to two converging pressures on the US nuclear fuel supply chain. Rising electricity demand and accelerating reactor deployment plans are expected to increase enrichment requirements significantly. Simultaneously, the United States has implemented a total ban on imports of Russian-enriched uranium effective January 2028, eliminating a major source of supply.

Urenco secured customer backing for the project through long-term contracts, enabling the company to proceed without public funding. The facility was developed as a commercial venture and operates independently of government subsidies.

Employment and Economic Contribution

Construction of the new enrichment capacity will support between 300 and 600 jobs during peak building periods. Once operational, the expanded facility will sustain approximately 70 permanent positions dedicated to the new cascades.

Urenco USA currently employs more than 500 staff and long-term contractors across its New Mexico operations. A 2024–2025 economic analysis found that Urenco USA's operations contributed more than USD360 million to the US economy during that period.

Technical Specifications

Low-enriched uranium (LEU) for commercial reactors typically contains between 3.5% and 5% uranium-235, the fissile isotope required for reactor operation. Natural uranium contains only 0.7% uranium-235, necessitating enrichment through centrifuge separation.

The new cascades will employ Urenco's proven gas-centrifuge enrichment technology, the same method used in the existing facility since its 2010 startup.

Kinectrics to conduct independent review of Clean Core's advanced fuel program

Clean Core Thorium Energy has engaged Kinectrics to conduct an independent technical review of its ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel qualification program. The assessment will evaluate critical aspects of the fuel development pathway, including design specifications, manufacturing processes, safety protocols, and regulatory preparedness.

The independent review represents a validation step for Clean Core's fuel qualification efforts. By bringing in external technical expertise, the company aims to ensure its ANEEL program meets industry standards and regulatory requirements. Kinectrics' involvement signals confidence in the program's technical foundation while providing an objective evaluation of its readiness for further advancement.

The scope of Kinectrics' review encompasses the full spectrum of fuel qualification considerations. Design review will assess the technical specifications and performance characteristics of the fuel. Manufacturing evaluation will examine production processes and quality assurance protocols. Safety analysis will verify compliance with applicable safety standards. Regulatory readiness assessment will determine alignment with licensing and approval pathways.

This engagement reflects the nuclear industry's emphasis on rigorous technical validation for advanced fuel concepts. Independent technical reviews serve as a critical checkpoint in fuel development programs, helping to identify potential issues early and demonstrate technical credibility to regulators and stakeholders. The ANEEL program represents Clean Core's approach to next-generation fuel technology, and the independent assessment provides an objective measure of its technical maturity.

Kinectrics to perform independent technical review of ANEEL fuel qualification program
Assessment covers fuel design, manufacturing processes, safety protocols, and regulatory readiness
Independent evaluation supports validation of Clean Core's fuel development pathway
Review represents critical checkpoint in advanced fuel qualification process