NuScale Power and Framatome expand exclusive fuel manufacturing partnership to include European and U.S. production facilities

Type: Partnership · Technology: Nuclear · Country: United States · Announced: 2026-03-11

Framatome will fabricate at least 44 fuel assemblies for NuScale's VOYGR small modular reactors, expanding their exclusive partnership to secure critical fuel supply. Production will occur at Fram.

Analysis

NuScale Power's expanded exclusive partnership with Framatome, announced on 2026-03-11, directly addresses a critical supply chain bottleneck for small modular reactor deployment. Framatome will fabricate at least 44 fuel assemblies for NuScale's VOYGR SMRs, ensuring a foundational component for the Corvallis, USA-based developer's technology. The agreement extends Framatome's role to include production facilities in both Europe and the United States, broadening the geographic scope of their existing collaboration. This arrangement provides NuScale with a secure, long-term source for the specialized fuel required by its SMR power plants. For Framatome, the deal secures a significant fabrication contract within the nascent SMR sector, leveraging its recognized expertise in nuclear energy solutions. The exclusive nature of the partnership further solidifies the commercial relationship between the two entities, focusing Framatome's innovative solutions on NuScale's VOYGR technology. NuScale Power Corporation, a Corvallis, USA-based nuclear technology developer specializing in SMR design and licensing, relies on such agreements to de-risk the deployment of its VOYGR SMR power plants. The company's focus on designing and licensing SMRs necessitates a robust supply chain for critical components like fuel assemblies. Framatome, recognized as a major international player in the nuclear energy market, gains a concrete fabrication pipeline for a leading SMR design. This partnership allows Framatome to apply its innovative solutions and value-added technologies directly to the emerging SMR sector in both European and U.S. facilities. The expansion of this exclusive fuel manufacturing partnership, announced on 2026-03-11, demonstrates a tangible step towards securing the operational viability of SMR technology. It also positions Framatome as a key supplier for future SMR deployments, aligning with its mission of advancing global nuclear energy.

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