Nuclear Energy Week 43 Summary (October 20-26, 2025)

Military Nuclear Deployment and National Security

The US Army formally launched the Janus Program during the Association of the US Army conference, announcing ambitious plans to deploy nuclear microreactors at domestic military installations by fall 2028[1]. Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll and Energy Secretary Christopher Wright jointly unveiled the initiative, with Driscoll emphasizing that "the US Army is leading the way on fielding innovative and disruptive technology" while "shredding red tape and incubating next-generation capabilities"[1].

The program implements President Trump's Executive Order 14299 titled "Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security," which directs the Department of War to commence operation of an Army-regulated nuclear reactor at a domestic military installation no later than September 30, 2028[1]. Dr. Jeff Waksman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, emphasized that resilience means having power "no matter what, 24/7" for military operations[1].

Janus dovetails with the Defense Innovation Unit's Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations initiative announced in April, though it will have different technical requirements reflecting changes in the nuclear power market and new commercial entrants since spring[1]. The program will use DIU's contracting authorities while the Army conducts program management, with DIU also contributing funding[1].

The initiative builds upon the Department of Defense's Project Pele from 2022, which aimed to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype mobile nuclear reactor within five years[1]. BWXT continues manufacturing the first advanced microreactor for Pele, designed to be transported within four 20-foot shipping containers for potential deployment to operational areas requiring rapid power generation infrastructure[1].

Nuclear Fusion Roadmap and Commercialization Strategy

The Department of Energy released its comprehensive Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap on October 16, outlining strategies to marshal public and private sector forces toward commercialization by the mid-2030s[2][3]. The roadmap addresses critical science, materials, and technology gaps including tritium breeding and handling, which require innovation and bridging of public and private sectors[2].

The roadmap establishes a "Build–Innovate–Grow" strategy targeting actions and milestones through the mid-2030s, with development input from over 600 researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders[2][3]. The strategy advances President Trump's executive order "Unleashing American Energy," reinforcing commitments to expand domestic energy production and restore US energy dominance[2].

Private sector investment in fusion has exceeded $10 billion globally by September 2025, representing unprecedented growth since 2021 and a dramatic shift from historically government-dominated research[4][5]. Nearly 40 countries engage in nuclear fusion programs with over 160 fusion devices operational, under construction, or planned, ranging from pilot plants to larger facilities according to IAEA reports[2].

The roadmap outlines a phased timeline with the private sector completing design and derisking of early-stage demonstration fusion plants within two to three years, while the public sector builds small-to-medium test stands and begins design of large-scale facilities[2]. In the mid-term (three to five years), the private sector would build early-stage fusion pilot plants while the public sector constructs integration platforms with neutron sources[2].

Long-term projections (five to ten years) envision the private sector operating early generation non-nuclear and nuclear power plants, with the public sector delivering large-scale integration blanket-tritium fuel cycle facilities and prototypic neutron materials testing platforms[2][3]. The fusion market could reach $40-80 billion by 2036 and potentially exceed $350 billion by 2050 if technological milestones are achieved[4].

Nuclear Construction and Project Developments

Egypt's El Dabaa nuclear power plant construction reached a significant milestone with delivery of the first reactor vessel to the construction site, marking progress on Egypt's inaugural nuclear power facility[6]. The four-unit plant utilizing Russian VVER-1200 reactor technology represents a major expansion of nuclear capacity in North Africa[6].

TerraPower's Natrium project advanced significantly as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission completed its Environmental Impact Statement and recommended issuing a construction permit for Kemmerer Unit 1[6]. This sodium-cooled fast reactor design represents breakthrough advanced reactor technology targeting commercial operation in the late 2020s[6].

China completed nuclear island civil construction at Haiyang Unit 3 with the concreting of the containment water tank, marking structural completion of the main nuclear island in Shandong province[6]. Construction also commenced on the outer containment building for Leningrad-II Unit 7 in Russia, which will be the third new unit at the Leningrad site bringing the total to seven reactors[6].

Last Energy and Texas A&M University announced plans for a microreactor pilot project at the Texas A&M-RELLIS applied research campus in Bryan, Texas[6]. This demonstration project will showcase advanced microreactor technology for university and research applications[6].

Westinghouse and Energy Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding to explore deployment of an AP1000 reactor in the Canadian province of Alberta[6]. The collaboration represents growing Canadian interest in large-scale advanced reactor deployment for provincial energy security[6].

Uranium Market Dynamics and Mining Developments

Uranium markets demonstrated volatility during week 43, with prices declining to $76.50 per pound on October 23, representing a 0.13% daily increase but 6.88% monthly decline and 6.71% decrease from recent highs[7]. The pullback from September's peak of $82.63 per pound reflects profit-taking and market consolidation following sustained rallies[7][8].

Anfield Energy announced plans for a groundbreaking ceremony on November 6 for its Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium mine in southeast Utah's Lisbon Valley[9]. The Canada-based company received construction approval from Utah's Department of Oil, Gas and Mining on October 7, following federal approval from the US Department of the Interior in May under a 14-day accelerated review process[9].

CEO Corey Dias characterized the groundbreaking as "more than a groundbreaking – it's a bold declaration of Anfield's readiness to help fuel the American nuclear renaissance"[9]. The project supports Trump administration plans to increase US nuclear capacity from roughly 100 gigawatts in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050[9].

Despite monthly price declines, fundamental supply-demand dynamics remain supportive with the US Energy Information Administration warning of a widening uranium shortfall over the next decade, estimating a cumulative gap of 184 million pounds without new mine development[10]. Utility contracting volumes remained below replacement rates, with only 45 million pounds contracted year-to-date compared to consumption requirements[8].

Physical uranium funds continued accumulating material, with Sprott Physical Uranium Trust completing 2.3 million pounds of purchases during Q3 2025, while Yellow Cake's $125 million fundraising supports continued acquisitions[8][10]. These institutional purchases effectively remove supply from an already constrained market[8].

Government Shutdown and NNSA Operations

The National Nuclear Security Administration furloughed 1,400 employees after nearly three weeks of government shutdown, retaining 400 as essential employees who continue working without pay[11]. Energy Secretary Chris Wright characterized the furlough as unprecedented in NNSA's 25-year history, emphasizing "this should not happen"[11].

A DOE spokesperson clarified the furlough impacts only federal employees, not the entire complex, with essential personnel working "to support the protection of property and safety of human life"[11]. The NNSA's Office of Secure Transportation, responsible for safe and secure nuclear weapons and components transportation, has sufficient funding through October 27[11].

Wright announced creative measures to keep more than 3,000 contractors at the Nevada National Security Site paid through month-end, demonstrating efforts to maintain critical nuclear security operations despite appropriations lapse[11]. The secretary urged senators to support continuing resolution legislation to restore government funding and return furloughed staff to work[11].

The shutdown occurred after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution bill that would reopen government and continue funding at fiscal year 2025 levels[11]. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Sen. Angus King crossed party lines to support the resolution in a 50-43 vote on Monday, far short of the 60 votes needed for passage[11].

Nuclear Waste Management and International Cooperation

The International Atomic Energy Agency and WM Symposia signed a practical arrangement on September 17 aimed at strengthening international collaboration in radioactive waste management, decommissioning, and environmental remediation[12]. The agreement formalizes shared commitment to promote knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and capacity-building across the global nuclear community[12].

The arrangement will facilitate joint activities including technical meetings and participation in the Waste Management Conference, widely regarded as the leading international conference for radioactive material management[12]. The 52nd annual conference, WM2026, is scheduled for March 8-12 at the Phoenix Convention Center[12].

Greg Meyer, chair of WM Symposia, characterized the agreement as "a significant milestone in our mission to connect experts, policymakers, and industry leaders around the world"[12]. Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA deputy director general, noted the agreement "establishes a framework for cooperation that will strengthen our joint efforts in addressing critical issues at the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle"[12].

Holtec International announced withdrawal from the HI-STORE nuclear waste storage project near Carlsbad, New Mexico, despite June's US Supreme Court ruling dismissing legal challenges from Texas, New Mexico, and oil producers[13]. The company cited "the impractical path ahead for used fuel storage in New Mexico" and terminated its agreement with partner Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance[13].

The DOE's Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposition Program outlined comprehensive strategies for managing 91,000 metric tons of nuclear waste stored temporarily at sites in 39 states, with approximately 2,000 additional tons added annually[14][15]. The program anticipates launching the Spent Nuclear Fuel Center for Applied Research in Storage & Transportation in October 2025 to demonstrate solutions for persistent challenges[14].

Advanced Reactor Development and Market Growth

Oklo demonstrated exceptional market performance with stock prices increasing over 450% in 2025 as the company advanced its Aurora powerhouse construction at Idaho National Laboratory[16]. The company commenced construction of its first Aurora facility as part of three projects awarded under the Department of Energy's reactor pilot program, targeting initial reactor operation by mid-2026[16].

Oklo committed $1.68 billion to establish a fuel recycling center in Tennessee converting used nuclear fuel into energy for Aurora plants, while entering a $2 billion agreement with France-based Newcleo to transform surplus plutonium into nuclear fuel[16]. The company has obtained nonbinding letters of intent from several potential clients including Equix and Diamondback Energy[16].

Amazon released images of its planned X-energy small modular reactor plant named the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, providing updates one year after announcing investment plans[6]. The company expects to deploy up to 12 Xe-100 reactors in Washington state partnered with Energy Northwest to serve AI data center power demands[17].

Putin claimed during Russian Energy Week that "no one in the world, except us, is currently building small nuclear power plants," citing Russia's RITM-200N land-based SMR under construction in Yakutia targeting 2028 commissioning[18]. Russia signed agreements with Uzbekistan in May 2024 to build a six-unit SMR nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region, marking Russia's first SMR technology export[18].

India finalized its roadmap for nuclear expansion targeting 100 GW capacity with small modular reactors contributing 10 GW of total capacity[19]. The comprehensive plan anticipates investment requirements of ₹19-20 lakh crore (approximately $230-240 billion) over the next two decades, with government plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act to enable private sector participation[19].

References:
[7] Trading Economics - Uranium price October 20, 2025
[6] World Nuclear News - New nuclear developments October 23, 2025
[8] American Nuclear Society - Uranium prices demand could double October 1, 2025
[4] Future Markets Inc - Global nuclear fusion energy market 2025-2045
[17] American Nuclear Society - Industry Update October 17, 2025
[1] The War Zone - Army nuclear microreactors bases 2028 October 22, 2025
[11] American Nuclear Society - NNSA furloughs employees shutdown October 21, 2025
[16] Yahoo Finance - Oklo nuclear power stock up 450% October 24, 2025
[18] Caliber Azerbaijan - Putin Russia builds small nuclear plants October 15, 2025
[9] Tri-City Record - Utah uranium mine groundbreaking November 6 October 22, 2025
[12] American Nuclear Society - IAEA WM Symposia waste management September 24, 2025
[14] Wyoming Legislature - DOE spent nuclear fuel presentation July 2025
[19] Mathrubhumi - India nuclear leap compact reactors ships October 19, 2025
[10] Investing News - Uranium price update Q3 2025 review October 15, 2025
[15] Development Aid - US nuclear waste management crisis August 24, 2025
[13] Reuters - Holtec walks away nuclear waste New Mexico October 9, 2025
[2] NucNet - US fusion roadmap mid-2030s critical gaps October 19, 2025
[3] Utility Dive - DOE nuclear fusion roadmap 2030s deployment October 16, 2025
[5] Singularity Hub - Investors $10 billion fusion power October 17, 2025

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