😲SMR Developers Sue Federal Regulator

Welcome to Nuclear Update! It’s time for your weekly dose of atoms and energy—let’s power through the latest nuclear news!

This is what we got for you this week:

• 😲SMR Developers Sue Federal Regulator

• 🥳Czech Republic Plans For 68% Nuclear Share By 2040

• 👏Lianjiang Hits Record Module Installation

• 🖨️3D Printing Slashes Microreactor Build Costs

😲SMR Developers Sue Federal Regulator

Texas, Utah, and microreactor developer Last Energy are suing the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) over its 1956 Utilization Facility Rule, which mandates the same construction and operating licenses for all reactors, regardless of size or risk.

The plaintiffs argue the regulation imposes undue costs and delays, hindering development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, like Last Energy’s PWR-20, as well as university research reactors.

Last Energy, which has agreements for over 50 reactor projects in Europe, claims US regulations have made domestic projects unfeasible.

The lawsuit seeks exemptions for certain small, low-risk reactors.

While the NRC is working on a new rule for advanced reactors, slated for finalization in 2027, this case could significantly alter the US nuclear regulatory framework—or add more uncertainty.

Filed in Texas, the case highlights the challenges facing advanced nuclear technologies in the US.

🐦Kevin Bambrough, Former Sprott Resource Corp. President, on Uranium’s Next Wave:

Kevin Bambrough—former President and CEO of Sprott Resource Corp.—is a seasoned resource investor and a key voice in the commodities space. In his latest article, he tackles the rising momentum behind uranium’s next big wave, explaining what’s driving market interest, the key challenges ahead, and the potential opportunities for savvy investors looking to capitalize on the sector’s resurgence.

Check it out here:

🥳Czech Republic Plans For 68% Nuclear Share By 2040

The Czech Republic is forging ahead with plans to phase out coal by 2033 and nearly double its nuclear share from around 40% to 68% by 2040.

Under the updated national energy plan, the government aims for nuclear to supply 44% of the country’s electricity by 2030, rising to 68% when new projects come online.

In July 2024, state-run utility ČEZ selected Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to build two Pressurised Water Reactor units at Dukovany, with deployment slated for the latter half of the 2030s.

The plan—developed by the ministries of Industry and Trade, and the Environment—aligns with EU decarbonisation goals while ensuring a reliable baseload.

Industry minister Lukas Vlcek says future electricity generation will rely on nuclear and renewables, with natural gas also expected to play a role.

The country’s existing fleet of six reactors already meets about 40% of its power needs.

👏Lianjiang Hits Record Module Installation

In a significant achievement, China’s Lianjiang nuclear project has successfully installed Module CA01—a massive steel-and-concrete “super module” weighing nearly 1,100 tonnes.

Impressively, it was positioned just nine months after first concrete was poured, whereas a similar milestone took 29 months at the Vogtle 3 site in the United States.

This key component will house critical systems such as the reactor pressure vessel and steam generators.

This accomplishment follows the October placement of CA20, an even heavier module, underscoring rapid progress for the two CAP1000 reactors under Phase 1.

Approved in 2022, the first two 1,250 MWe units are slated for completion by 2028. Ultimately, Lianjiang plans to operate six CAP1000 reactors, delivering 70.2 TWh of carbon-free power annually and pioneering advanced features—like seawater secondary circulation cooling and a super-large cooling tower—to further enhance efficiency and reduce emissions.

🖨️3D Printing Slashes Microreactor Build Costs

NANO Nuclear Inc. is harnessing additive manufacturing (AM) to dramatically lower the cost and complexity of building microreactors, according to CEO James Walker.

By 3D printing everything from intricate heat exchangers to fuel assembly structures, the company reduces material waste, speeds up prototyping, and streamlines supply chains.

The result is a more cost-effective approach to reactor construction—critical in the nuclear sector, where traditional manufacturing often involves high upfront tooling expenses and lengthy lead times.

This emphasis on AM extends to NANO Nuclear’s affiliated ventures, Advanced Fuel Transportation (AFT) and HALEU Energy Fuel (HEF), which use 3D printing to create specialized transport and processing components.

As NANO Nuclear moves toward global deployment, Walker foresees AM continuing to optimize production, delivering safer, more efficient microreactors for decentralized power generation—at a fraction of conventional costs.

⚛️Nuclear Nuggets

China has discovered a substantial uranium deposit in the Jingchuan area, the China Geological Survey announced on Friday. The discovery will significantly increase the country's uranium resources and effectively enhance the security of uranium resources in the country, according to the press release.

NPCIL to operate small nuclear plants for private players. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) will operate 220 MWe SMR for private players who will provide both funding and land for the project, a senior government official said.

US President-elect Donald Trump said his incoming administration will seek to stop development of new wind farms across the US, ratcheting up his rhetoric in opposition to the nation's largest source of renewable energy less than two weeks before his inauguration.

😂Meme of the Week

💪Review of the Week

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research