The United States will provide massive financial support to the French group Orano to establish an enriched uranium plant on its territory. The nuclear fuel cycle specialist has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive $900 million in public funding for a large-scale industrial project in Tennessee, whose overall cost is estimated at nearly $5 billion.
This decision is part of a broader strategy to reindustrialize the civilian nuclear sector, championed by the US administration. In total, Washington plans to invest $2,7 billion in new enrichment projects to reduce its dependence on foreign imports, particularly from Russia, which are scheduled to be banned starting in 2028.
A strategic project in Oak Ridge
The installation, named IKE in reference to Dwight EisenhowerThe plant is slated to be built on the historic Oak Ridge site, the birthplace of American nuclear power. Orano hopes to finalize contractual agreements by the first half of 2026, before submitting applications for authorization to the safety authorities. The stated objective is to secure the supply of fuel to operators of American nuclear power plants for the next decade.
Beyond geopolitical considerations, the group highlights a sharp increase in energy demand, driven in particular by the development of data centers and artificial intelligence. This American project complements the ongoing expansion of the Georges-Besse 2 plant in France and reinforces Orano's position as a key player in Western nuclear enrichment.
