The development and deployment of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU, enrichment between 5% and 20%) fuels are becoming increasingly important to support the next generation of advanced reactors, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs), Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), Fast Reactors (FRs), and some research and microreactors. HALEU fuels offer improved reactor performance, higher efficiency, and enhanced flexibility in reactor design. However, their manufacturing presents unique technical, safety, regulatory, and supply chain challenges.
Advanced reactor designs will require new or dedicated fuel fabrication facilities and supply chains. Qualification and licensing processes remain critical, as innovative fuel designs and higher enrichments will be subject to increased scrutiny by national regulatory authorities. Furthermore, the successful deployment of many SMR concepts depends on reliable access to HALEU, which in turn requires the establishment of a dedicated nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure.
While the higher enrichment of HALEU fuels facilitates advanced nuclear technologies, it also introduces new technical and policy challenges. Transitioning to enrichment levels above 5% impacts all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, with particularly significant implications beyond 10%. To meet the diverse fuel requirements of advanced reactor designs, new infrastructure will be needed for conversion, enrichment, deconversion, and fuel fabrication. In addition, HALEU transportation systems must be developed to comply with enhanced criticality safety requirements. Overall, enrichment levels above 5% present substantial challenges for both suppliers and users but remain a key enabler for the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies.
At the Second Meeting of the IAEA Technical Working Group on Fuel Cycle Facilities members expressed Member States’ growing interest in the design, fabrication, and associated challenges of HALEU fuels. It was recommended that the IAEA organize a workshop to bring together stakeholders to share knowledge and experience on operational aspects of HALEU fuel manufacturing. A considerable body of expertise already exists in Member States on HALEU fuel manufacturing, and sharing this knowledge, along with operating experience, can strengthen collective capabilities to address current and future challenges.
In response, the IAEA will organize a Workshop on Operational Aspects of Manufacturing High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium Advanced Fuels, from 17 to 21 August 2026 at its Headquarters in Vienna.
Key Deadlines and Dates
30 April 2026
- Deadline for submission of extended abstracts through IAEA-INDICO
- Submission of Form B through the InTouch+ platform
31 May 2026
- Notification of acceptance of proposed work
