The facility is reported to be the first of its kind on the continent.
The project will be developed at Urenco’s Capenhurst site in Cheshire, England. Costain’s in-house civil nuclear and engineering team will handle the front-end engineering design (FEED) for the facility. This design phase is expected to be completed by 2027, providing the foundation for future advancements in fuel enrichment technologies at Urenco.
HALEU is uranium enriched to contain between 5% and 20% of the fissile isotope U-235, which is necessary for the operation of AMRs and SMRs. These advanced reactors are expected to play a significant role in achieving a low-carbon, secure, and resilient energy system, contributing to global decarbonization efforts.
The new facility will not only support the development of domestic nuclear reactors in the UK but will also cater to international markets. This expansion aligns with the growing global demand for clean energy solutions, and Costain’s involvement in the project is expected to play a crucial role in meeting that demand.
Costain’s appointment follows a previous selection in early 2024, where Urenco chose the company as its programme delivery partner for infrastructure upgrades at the Capenhurst site over a three-year period. This ongoing collaboration emphasizes Costain’s expertise in the civil nuclear energy sector and its ability to manage complex projects.
Sam White, Costain’s Managing Director of Natural Resources, commented: “This incredibly exciting project will establish the UK as the first country in Europe to launch a high-tech advanced nuclear fuels programme, confirming its status as a world leader in the civil nuclear energy market. Ensuring the UK’s supply of advanced nuclear fuel will be critical for powering the next generation of reactors, including AMRs and SMRs. These are nuclear technologies that will play an important role as low-carbon sources of electricity to support a secure, resilient, and decarbonised energy system in the UK.”
In addition to this project, Costain is involved in several other critical initiatives within the UK’s nuclear energy sector. These include services such as project delivery, design, construction, decommissioning, and maintenance. The company has also recently secured a contract to lead the FEED for a new hydrogen pipeline network in Teesside, UK, set to be a key part of the country’s future energy infrastructure.
This ongoing partnership between Costain and Urenco underscores the growing importance of advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the future of clean, low-carbon energy.
