The Horizon Center Industrial Park is near Oak Ridge National Laboratory
In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) awarded BWXT a one-year engineering contract to assess options for a centrifuge pilot plant. This study will guide potential future development at the Oak Ridge site. The land, located at the Horizon Center Industrial Park, supports BWXT’s commitment to advancing the NNSA’s objectives and deploying the Domestic Uranium Enrichment Centrifuge Experiment (DUECE) technology, developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
The DUECE program, spearheaded by ORNL, focuses on enhancing uranium enrichment expertise and technology to meet current and future national security requirements. BWXT’s efforts align with the NNSA’s goal of restoring domestic uranium enrichment capabilities for defense purposes. “The Oak Ridge community is a hub of innovation and nuclear expertise ready to support the NNSA’s national security mission,” said Kevin McCoy, president of BWXT Government Operations. “The deployment of the domestically manufactured DUECE centrifuge resets our nation on the path to energy independence.”
The acquisition underscores BWXT’s strategic role in supporting the NNSA’s mission to secure a sustainable supply of enriched uranium. The company highlighted that the U.S. currently lacks the capacity to enrich uranium for certain defense needs, and the DUECE program aims to address this gap through advanced centrifuge technology. The Oak Ridge facility will play a pivotal role in scaling up these capabilities to meet national security timelines.
BWXT’s investment in Oak Ridge builds on the region’s legacy as a center for nuclear innovation. The planned centrifuge manufacturing facility will leverage ORNL’s technological advancements and BWXT’s engineering expertise to ensure a robust and independent uranium enrichment process. The project is expected to create opportunities for collaboration with local experts and contribute to the region’s economic and technical development.
By establishing this facility, BWXT aims to support long-term national security objectives while fostering sustainable advancements in uranium enrichment technology. The company’s work in Oak Ridge represents a significant step toward strengthening domestic capabilities in this critical area.
