In New Jersey, Governor Mikie Sherrill has approved legislation that removes a long-standing permitting constraint which had effectively acted as a nuclear moratorium. The decision was announced alongside the formation of a Nuclear Task Force following a visit to PSEG’s Salem nuclear power plant. “For costs to come down, we need more energy supply. New Jersey is well-positioned to be a leader in next-generation nuclear energy to help bring that supply, and we are open for business,” Sherrill said. “By lifting outdated barriers and bringing together leaders across government, industry, and labour, we’re setting the stage for our state to pursue new advanced nuclear power. This will help New Jersey secure a stronger, cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy future – while keeping the state at the forefront of innovation, job creation, and economic growth.”

The change addresses provisions under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act, which had required an approved radioactive waste disposal method from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission—an obligation the state considered impractical. Under the revised framework, permits can now be issued based on safe, NRC-compliant waste storage, effectively clearing the path for new projects. The newly formed task force will focus on financing, supply chains, workforce development, regulatory structures, and public confidence to ensure readiness for deployment. Existing facilities, including Salem and Hope Creek, currently supply about 42% of New Jersey’s electricity.

In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear has signed legislation creating the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, alongside a Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program. The initiative aims to support applications for early site permits, construction approvals, and combined operating licences from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “Every step makes a difference when it comes to helping our people save their hard-earned dollars,” Beshear said, noting the potential for long-term reductions in utility costs. Kentucky does not currently operate any nuclear generation capacity.

Texas has also advanced nuclear expansion by opening applications for USD350 million in funding through the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund. Administered by the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, the programme supports both construction reimbursement and project design and supply chain activities. Eligible applicants must demonstrate, or expect to have, a docketed construction permit or licence application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by 1 December 2026, with submissions due by mid-May.

In the near term, the company will manufacture fuel assemblies compatible with existing reactor designs, while simultaneously progressing the development and qualification of proprietary European fuel designs for both VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors. This work builds on a EUR10 million (USD10.7 million) grant awarded in June 2024 under the Euratom Research and Training Programme, supporting the SAVE (Safe and Alternative VVER European) project led by Framatome, which includes participation from 17 stakeholders.

The broader programme aligns with parallel industry efforts such as the Westinghouse Electric Company-led APIS initiative launched in July 2023. Framatome’s project is currently in its initial phase, focusing on the design of the VVER-440 fuel assembly, designated VERA-440, along with its transport container. Subsequent stages will involve fabrication and regulatory licensing, with the first fuel bundles planned for deployment at Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant in Finland. Regular supply operations are expected to begin in the early 2030s.

“Today we celebrate far more than a technical accomplishment – we celebrate a shared vision and a strong teamwork across borders,” said Framatome CEO Grégoire Ponchon. “I warmly congratulate all Framatome teams and extend my sincere gratitude to ČEZ, Fortum, MVM Paks NPP, and Slovenské elektrárne for the trust they have placed in Framatome. Their confidence has been essential in bringing this ambitious project to life. This agreement reflects our shared intention to work together over the long term, fostering continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence in nuclear fuel supply.”

European utilities involved in the VVER fuel agreement emphasised its role in strengthening energy security and diversifying supply chains. Bohdan Zronek of ČEZ highlighted the importance of supplier diversification for operational stability, while Fortum’s Petra Lundström noted the benefits of collaborative European solutions. Executives from MVM Paks NPP and Slovenské elektrárne similarly underscored the strategic importance of long-term fuel security, operational predictability and reduced dependency risks across the region.

Under the terms of the MOU, the companies will explore cooperation across a range of technical domains linked to the SMR rollout, including fuel qualification and testing, plant life management, hot cell technology, core design and operational modelling, as well as regulatory licensing support. The arrangement allows Rolls-Royce SMR to assess Studsvik’s facilities and technical capabilities, while identifying areas where these services can support the deployment of its ‘factory-built’ NPPs. Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce SMR CEO, said: This agreement expands our relationship with Studsvik and strengthens our European supply chain, bringing together worldclass expertise to support the rollout of Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Studsvik’s long-standing capabilities in nuclear services make them an ideal partner as we accelerate towards deploying our SMRs across global markets.

Studsvik President & CEO Karl Thedéen also pointed to the timing of the agreement as aligned with increasing momentum in nuclear investment. He said: Governments and customers around the world have taken decisions on important investments in nuclear power, creating long-term opportunities. We are convinced that working closer together, both organisations will benefit from the acceleration of Rolls-Royce SMR business activities in the Nordics, UK and Europe, supporting stable, clean, and reliable energy. The Rolls-Royce SMR design features a three loop PWR delivering 470 MWe derived from 1,358 MWt, built around modularisation principles that prioritise factory-based assembly using standardised components alongside advanced manufacturing techniques.

Progress on deployment continues following the outcome of a multi-year competition managed by Great British Nuclear (now Great British Energy – Nuclear), where Rolls-Royce was selected as the primary technology partner and preferred bidder in June 2025, with a Final Investment Decision (FID) anticipated in 2029. The UK Government identified Wylfa on the island of Anglesey, North Wales, in November 2025 as the site for three Rolls-Royce SMRs, with potential expansion to eight units. In parallel, the company has been selected by Czech utility ČEZ to deliver up to 3 GWe of new nuclear capacity in the Czech Republic and remains among the final two contenders in Vattenfall’s technology selection process in Sweden for potential SMR construction at the Ringhals NPP site. Studsvik continues to support the global nuclear sector with specialised services spanning fuel and materials testing, plant life-extension, and operational efficiency, backed by more than 75 years of experience in nuclear technology and radiological services.

The collaboration between Microsoft and Nvidia introduces a unified, AI-enabled framework that applies disciplined engineering principles throughout a nuclear plant’s lifecycle from site permitting and design through to construction and continuous operations. According to Microsoft, these capabilities are embedded within a connected platform intended to improve repeatability, traceability, and security while reducing development timelines and rework. Expanding on the technical value, Willis noted: “By unifying data, traceability, and simulation across phases, AI accelerates design validation with high-fidelity 3D models and Digital Twins, improves licensing consistency through AI-assisted document workflows, and connects design assumptions to operational performance – giving operators, regulators, and stakeholders clearer, continuous visibility.”

As part of the AI for nuclear ecosystem, New York-based Everstar an Nvidia Inception startup will integrate its domain-specific AI capabilities into Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. Everstar CEO Kevin Kong emphasised the operational implications of the partnership, stating: “The nuclear industry has been bottlenecked by documentation burden and regulatory complexity for decades. This partnership means our customers get the secure, scalable cloud deployments they demand. It’s a significant step toward making nuclear power fast, safe, and unstoppable.” The company also confirmed its involvement with the US Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and Microsoft under the DOE’s Genesis Mission, marking its first public milestone in a broader roadmap aimed at compressing timelines across licensing, design, manufacturing, and operations.

Everstar further disclosed that its Gordian AI platform successfully converted a DOE safety analysis document into sections equivalent to a US Nuclear Regulatory Commission licence application within a single day an activity that typically requires four to six weeks of expert effort. The Genesis Mission, launched by Donald Trump through an Executive Order dated 24 November last year, draws inspiration from the Apollo Programme. The White House described it as an initiative to unite computational power, scientific data, and research expertise into a coordinated system. Led by the DOE, the programme aims to leverage AI and advanced computing to double the productivity of US science and engineering within a decade, while delivering breakthroughs in energy, scientific discovery, and national security.

The UK nuclear reforms are positioned as a structural shift toward what ministers describe as “smarter regulation,” with implementation targeted for completion by the end of 2027. The reforms are designed to enable faster approvals and execution across both civil and defence nuclear projects, forming part of a broader strategy to strengthen national resilience, energy security, and industrial competitiveness.

At the core of the reform package is a streamlined regulatory approach that focuses on proportionality, risk-based assessment, and evidence-driven decision-making. Officials state that simplifying planning processes and removing duplicative or overly complex rules will reduce project delivery timelines and associated costs without compromising safety or environmental protections.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “As the current Middle East conflict shows we need to go further and faster to build the clean energy we need to get off volatile fossil fuel markets and deliver energy security for our country.” He added that the reforms are intended to ensure infrastructure is delivered more efficiently while improving environmental outcomes.

The reforms are closely tied to the government’s broader industrial and energy strategy, which includes advancing major nuclear infrastructure projects. These include the Sizewell C plant in Suffolk, expected to support 17,000 jobs at peak construction, and the ongoing development of Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Plans are also progressing for small modular reactors at Wylfa in North Wales, alongside potential future collaborations with international partners.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “To build national resilience drive energy security and deliver economic growth we need nuclear.” She added that the overhaul would remove “duplicative or overly complex guidance rules and regulations that have been holding back our nuclear ambitions.”

Beyond infrastructure, the UK nuclear reforms also include a significant investment in research and workforce development. More than 500 doctoral students will be trained across UK universities through new programmes, effectively quadrupling the current intake of nuclear PhDs. This initiative is supported by £65.6 million in funding allocated to seven research programmes covering advanced reactor technologies, nuclear fuels, waste management, and materials science.

The funding, delivered through UK Research and Innovation and matched by industry partners, is intended to strengthen the pipeline of technical talent required for both civil and defence nuclear programmes. The Defence Nuclear Enterprise is projected to support 65,000 skilled jobs by 2030, underlining the scale of workforce demand linked to the sector’s expansion.

In parallel, the government continues to invest in defence-related nuclear capabilities, including the construction of four Dreadnought-class submarines and upgrades to nuclear warhead systems and industrial infrastructure.

The regulatory overhaul is expected to have broader implications beyond nuclear, with potential application of similar reforms to other major infrastructure planning regimes. Officials suggest that aligning regulatory efficiency with strategic investment priorities could accelerate delivery across multiple sectors while maintaining compliance and environmental standards.

The PPE3 energy plan is not legislation but defines the policy pathway for energy consumption and production through 2035. Lecornu confirmed he would sign the decree publishing the programme, describing the move as driven by “urgency” after prolonged political delays. The government has adopted the roadmap by decree, arguing the matter has already been extensively debated.

At the centre of the strategy is a structural shift in the energy mix. The government aims to raise electricity’s share of total energy consumption to 60% by 2030, up from around 30% today, and to achieve 70% decarbonised energy by 2035. Decarbonised electricity production is targeted to increase to between 650 and 693 TWh in 2035, compared with 458 TWh in 2023. Fossil fuel consumption is set to fall to about 330 TWh in 2035, down from 900 TWh in 2023. The latest plan sets a nuclear production target of 380–420 TWh per year between 2030 and 2035, compared with the previous 360–400 TWh range, consistent with EDF’s target of 400 TWh.

Nuclear power remains central. The PPE3 energy plan calls for the construction of six EPR2 reactors and establishes the objective of deciding, as early as 2026, on launching eight additional EPR2 reactors. It also provides for extending the lifespan of existing reactors to 50 or even 60 years, subject to safety requirements, beginning construction of a first small modular reactor around the start of the 2030s, and renewing the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. The previous objective in PPE2 of shutting down 14 reactors, including the two units at the Fessenheim plant, has been formally abandoned.

The strategy reflects commitments first outlined in February 2022, when President Emmanuel Macron announced a “nuclear renaissance,” proposing six new reactors with an option for eight more. France currently operates 57 nuclear power plants, and the new programme foresees greater utilisation of this fleet. The government said the PPE3 is aligned with the National Low-Carbon Strategy, European commitments and the Paris Agreement, and is based on parliamentary debates from spring 2025 and forward-looking scenarios published by transmission system operator RTE in December 2025.

Renewables remain part of the energy mix, though with adjustments. The plan maintains support for offshore wind, solar photovoltaic, geothermal energy and onshore wind, while placing emphasis on upgrading existing onshore wind farms rather than expanding land-based capacity extensively. Renewable energy unions were assured there would be “no moratorium on renewable energy,” and calls for tenders for solar and wind projects will proceed.

The programme carries significant financial and economic implications. Fossil fuel imports currently represent nearly EUR60 billion per year, while oil and gas accounted for 64 billion euros in imports in 2024 and still make up 60% of energy consumption. The government’s objective is to reduce fossil fuels to no more than 40% of energy consumed by 2030 and to phase out oil use between 2040 and 2045, with fossil gas to be phased out by 2050. Implementation of the PPE3 is expected to generate more than 120,000 additional jobs by 2030, particularly in nuclear, solar photovoltaic and offshore wind sectors.

Industry responses have been supportive. Framatome, EDF and Orano welcomed the publication of the plan and its emphasis on electrification and nuclear development. EDF confirmed its commitment to the six EPR2 reactors and the option for eight more, alongside life extensions for existing reactors and continued investment in hydropower and offshore wind. Orano highlighted the visibility the PPE3 provides for industrial projects across the nuclear fuel cycle. Gifen described the plan as a decisive step that confirms nuclear power at the heart of France’s energy strategy.

Political divisions persist. Marine Le Pen criticised the decree-based adoption, estimating costs of “at least €300 billion,” while Olivier Faure warned that further delays would “undermine renewable energy.” Environmental groups, including Greenpeace France, criticised what they called a “stubborn insistence” on nuclear expansion.

For the power generation sector, the PPE3 provides long-term visibility on capacity additions, lifetime extensions and investment direction. It establishes nuclear energy as the backbone of France’s decarbonisation pathway while maintaining a complementary role for renewables, setting the framework for generation planning, grid investment and fuel cycle development through 2035.

The long-term contracts will see more than 1,000 UK-based specialists deployed to support reactor operations, safety, testing and project management across EDF’s fleet. Amentum said it already has around 300 staff working at Hinkley Point C under an existing agreement and will expand its workforce as the plant moves closer to operation. The company currently employs more than 6,000 people in Britain and acts as a lead delivery partner for major projects including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

The agreements cover ten-year performance partnerships for Hinkley Point C and EDF’s operational plants, as well as a five-year reactor management contract which includes reactor operations, life extension and preparation for decommissioning. As part of the agreements, Amentum will offer engineering and technical services. Its earlier 2015 “Lifetime Enterprise Agreement” with EDF already contributed to extending the operational lives of the UK’s advanced gas-cooled reactors.

Company executives described the deals as a strong endorsement of Amentum’s nuclear capabilities. Loren Jones, Amentum’s senior vice-president for energy, said the firm’s “expertise in gigawatt reactor operational support and life extension” makes it “the ideal partner for EDF”. Mark Whitney, president of Amentum’s Energy & Environment business, said the contracts “build on Amentum’s…position as a lead strategic partner to EDF”.

Beyond civilian power generation, the UK nuclear power plants contracts also align with wider national security priorities. Amentum’s UK operations provide safety advice and technology services for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines and support the Atomic Weapons Establishment, contributing to the country’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.

Amentum chief executive John Heller said that “the energy resilience and national security of both nations depend on continued leadership and advances in energy and technology”. The contracts are expected to strengthen the UK’s clean energy infrastructure while sustaining the skilled workforce and technical expertise required for long-term energy security.

Signed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the agreement concerns components for new and existing hydropower plants created through metal additive manufacturing. This method will benefit small and medium sized hydropower plants that only require low production volumes, and have traditionally relied on costly and lengthy manufacturing processes.

Ilya Kavelashvili, director of the Additive Technologies business direction within Rosatom’s Fuel Division, said the corporation possesses the resources and technical expertise required to support a full-cycle additive manufacturing process. He also pointed to Rosatom’s experience in building regional additive manufacturing networks and delivering international projects.

The collaboration brings together Rosatom’s Additive Technologies division, the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Rosatom’s local office in Kyrgyzstan, and engineering firm Boka Hydro KG. As part of the initiative, a hydropower-focused project office has been established at the university.

The first phase of the project will concentrate on feasibility studies and technical documentation for small and medium hydropower plants. University students will be involved in the work to gain hands-on industry experience while completing their studies.

The use of additive manufacturing has already proven effective in hydropower applications, helping reduce production lead times and improve supply chain efficiency. By localizing production through 3D metal printing in Kyrgyzstan hydropower sector, the project aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and improve long-term operational resilience.

The filing, which was announced on December 30, 2025, marks the very first time that Duke has pursued an ESP and also reflects a much wider effort by the U.S. utilities in order to keep the nuclear power on the table as the electricity demand grows and the decarbonization pressures intensify further. While this move does not commit the company towards construction, it prominently advances the licensing groundwork and also reduces the long-term regulatory as well as financial risk if Duke later decides to build.

It is well to be noted that ESP is an optional NRC process that assesses the environmental and site safety issues in an independent way for a specific reactor design. Through resolving these issues head-on, utilities can pretty much shorten the timelines and also lower the uncertainty if the projects proceed. Duke opines that the strategy is aimed at safeguarding both customers as well as investors as it assesses the next-generation nuclear alternatives.

Notably, the application is technology-neutral and also includes six potential reactor designs – out of which four are small modular reactors – SMRs and two are non-light-water reactors. Interestingly, Duke went on to exclude large traditional light-water reactors, even though it already goes on to operate 11 such units throughout the Carolinas. The stress on SMRs highlights the growing industry interest when it comes to smaller and factory-built reactors, which promise lower upfront capital expenditures and more flexible deployment, although none have yet been built at a commercial scale in the US.

It is well to be noted that company executives framed this submission to be a measured step and not a firm commitment. Duke Energy has not made any kind of an investment decision; however, if further evaluation supports the economics and also the performance of SMRs at the site, the utility looks forward to adding almost 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2037. Apparently, the first unit could very well enter service as early as 2036.

The fact is that nuclear power still remains a central pillar of long-term resource planning by Duke, especially in the Carolinas, where the coal retirements as well as load growth from data centers, manufacturing, and also electrification are straining the present capacity. Unlike the intermittent renewables, nuclear plants offer continuous baseload generation, which is a feature that utilities increasingly value as the grids go on to become more complex.

The Belews Creek location already goes on to host a coal-fired plant that could as well ease the infrastructure along with transmission challenges if a nuclear facility were actually developed. Similar brownfield or adjacent-site strategies are getting explored by certain other U.S. utilities that are looking to replace the retiring fossil assets without overhauling the local grid connections.

This move of early stages of nuclear development by Duke comes at a time when there is renewed federal support in terms of nuclear energy, including tax credits for the present plants and also incentives for the advanced reactors as per the recent U.S. energy and climate legislation. Still, the sector goes on to face persistent barriers, such as cost overruns, long development timelines, and public skepticism – all the elements that go ahead and make early-stage risk reduction pretty attractive.

Through pursuing an ESP now, Duke is in a way effectively buying time as well as flexibility. Whether SMRs deliver on their promise still remains uncertain; however, utilities such as Duke are signaling that nuclear power, in some form or the other, is most likely to remain part of the U.S. energy mix through to the next decade.

The progress goes on to mark a significant step forward when it comes to the large-scale deployment of independently developed third-generation nuclear power technology from China, analysts confirmed.

On January 1, 2026, the No. 2 Unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant located in the Fujian Province of East China had successfully passed the 168-hour full-power continuous operation test and was officially put into its commercial operation, as per the CCTV report. With both units of Phase I now online, the project has gone on to move from the construction phase into operation.

After the commissioning of the first two units, the base is anticipated to generate 20 billion kilowatt-hours when it comes to clean electricity per year, which is equivalent to decreasing carbon dioxide emissions by almost 16 million tons every year.

Hualong One from China is completely independent third-generation nuclear technology and has gone on to obtain the European Utility Requirements certification and also passed the UK Generic Design Assessment.

It is a third-generation pressurized water reactor nuclear technology that has been developed as well as designed by China, having complete proprietary intellectual property rights, and is broadly regarded as a landmark in the push by the country to move from being a major nuclear power producer to a leading nuclear power country.

Notably, a single Hualong One unit can go on to generate almost 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, thereby decreasing the carbon dioxide emissions by around 8.16 million tonnes, which is equivalent to cutting over 3 million tonnes of standard coal consumption every year.

The Hualong One has gone on to become the third-generation nuclear power technology having the largest number of reactors in operation and under construction across the world, highlighting the growing strength of China when it comes to nuclear technology and its overall competitiveness as far as the global nuclear industry is concerned.

Interestingly, the Zhangzhou plant goes on to serve as the starting point when it comes to large-scale deployment of Hualong One technology and is the largest nuclear power base in the world, which is built around a domestically developed reactor, having a total of six Hualong One units that are planned.

It was unit 1 of the Zhangzhou plant that entered commercial operation on January 1, 2025, and as of December 24, 2025, its per-year power generation went beyond 10 billion kilowatt-hours, as per the official data.

Once completed fully, the Zhangzhou nuclear power base is anticipated to supply almost 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity per year, thereby prominently enhancing the power structure of Fujian Province and also enabling the optimization of the north-to-south electricity transmission pattern of the province.