Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) has been awarded £10.5 million to spearhead the development of transport capabilities for the UK’s future use of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) – an innovative form of fuel, which will be used in new nuclear developments.

The investment, by UK government, means NTS’s world-leading transport expertise will be used to significantly bolster the UK’s ability to meet its future low-carbon energy needs.

NTS will co-fund and deliver a multi-year programme of work alongside government and nuclear sector partners to develop the key technologies, capabilities and assets required to transport HALEU materials for use in the UK and export overseas.

The planned programme includes designing and developing new transport packages for HALEU products; ensuring appropriate road and maritime transport capacity exists to meet future domestic and international demand; and co-ordinating the UK nuclear sector’s readiness for these changes.

It comes after the government announced earlier this year it was awarding Urenco £196 million to build a uranium enrichment facility in Capenhurst, Cheshire. The facility will produce fuel by 2031 that would be ready to export or use domestically and could power UK homes in the next decade.

Seth Kybird, CEO of NTS, said: “This funding underlines NTS’ position as leading global providers of safe, secure and reliable nuclear transport and logistics. We’re delighted to be working with government and our partners to advance the UK’s future civil nuclear capabilities, and help provide clean, secure and affordable energy.”

The funding, awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), aims to foster the growth of sustainable clean energy supply chains across the UK.

David Peattie, CEO of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority of which NTS is a part of, added: “This funding demonstrates that when it comes to nuclear transport and logistics, the expertise of NTS is second to none. The safe and secure transport, disposal and management of nuclear material is crucial to the lifecycle of nuclear power generation. We will continue to work with the UK government, and wider sector, to explore how we can use our capability, knowledge and resources to support greater energy independence.”

Minister for Energy Security & Net Zero, Lord Hunt, said: “Developing our own advanced nuclear fuel gives the UK a competitive edge in the global nuclear industry, as part of our plans to become a clean energy superpower.

“As well as ensuring the UK supply chain is fully equipped to transport HALEU fuel, this funding will boost our energy security and reduce the world’s reliance on Russian fuel, all while providing good quality jobs and bolstering economic growth in Capenhurst and across the wider North West.”

Funding will support four key areas of work:

• The creation of a UK HALEU collaborative forum for industry partners
• The development of various HALEU packages which can transport the fuel in its multiple forms
• The development of road transport solution for the domestic transport of HALEU materials to and from UK facilities. 
• A maritime solution for the international export of HALEU from the UK