With the US increasingly becoming dependent on nuclear power in the wake of the energy crisis sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, American firms have been focusing on developing small nuclear reactors, as it is being viewed as a clean source of power.

But even before these firms could begin work on it, they have already encountered a major stumbling blog. Apparently, only one company sells the high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU), and it's a Russian.

The potential producers have said that a delay in securing HALEU supplies could impact the commercial supply chains even as it struggles to find a replacement to Russian uranium.

Russia has long been a monopoly on HALEU—something that has concerned Washington for several years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Currently,&nbsp;only TENEX, which is part of the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom, sells the fuel commercially at the moment.

But in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US government and companies have become hesitant to rely on Moscow for their supply needs.

Responding to the matter, a US Department of Energy spokesperson told Reuters news agency that the government has already started looking for alternative suppliers.

"Production of HALEU is a critical mission and all efforts to increase its production are being evaluated," the spokesperson said.

The Biden administration is in the final stages of evaluating how much of its inventory of 585.6 tonnes of highly enriched uranium to allocate to reactors, the spokesperson said.

"We understand the need for urgent action to incentivize the establishment of a sustainable, market-driven supply of HALEU," the spokesperson added.

HALEU is enriched to levels of up to 20 per cent rather than around 5 per cent for the uranium that powers most nuclear plants.

(With inputs from agencies)

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With the US increasingly becoming dependent on nuclear power in the wake of the energy crisis sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, American firms have been focusing on developing small nuclear reactors, as it is being viewed as a clean source of power.

With the US increasingly becoming dependent on nuclear power in the wake of the energy crisis sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, American firms have been focusing on developing small nuclear reactors, as it is being viewed as a clean source of power. But even before these firms could begin work on it, they have already encountered a major stumbling blog. Apparently, only one company sells the high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU), and it's a Russian. The potential producers have said that a delay in securing HALEU supplies could impact the commercial supply chains even as it struggles to find a replacement to Russian uranium. Russia has long been a monopoly on HALEU—something that has concerned Washington for several years. Currently, only TENEX, which is part of the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom, sells the fuel commercially at the moment. But in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US government and companies have become hesitant to rely on Moscow for their supply needs. Responding to the matter, a US Department of Energy spokesperson told Reuters news agency that the government has already started looking for alternative suppliers. "Production of HALEU is a critical mission and all efforts to increase its production are being evaluated," the spokesperson said. The Biden administration is in the final stages of evaluating how much of its inventory of 585.6 tonnes of highly enriched uranium to allocate to reactors, the spokesperson said. "We understand the need for urgent action to incentivize the establishment of a sustainable, market-driven supply of HALEU," the spokesperson added. HALEU is enriched to levels of up to 20 per cent rather than around 5 per cent for the uranium that powers most nuclear plants. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US nuclear industry struggling to get replacement for Russian enriched uranium

The documentary film was released and posted on August 20 on the YouTube channel of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.

Rosatom releases classified footage of 'Tsar Bomba'

Russia on Saturday unveiled the world's first floating nuclear power station at a ceremony in the port of the far northern city of Murmansk where it will be loaded with nuclear fuel before heading to eastern Siberia.

Built in Saint Petersburg, the Akademik Lomonosov arrived in Murmansk on Thursday where it was moored in the port and presented to the media on Saturday.

Constructed by the state nuclear power firm Rosatom, the 144 by 30 metre (472 by 98 foot) ship holds two reactors with two 35 megawatt nuclear reactors that are similar to those used to power icebreaker ships.

The 21,000-tonne barge will be towed in the summer of 2019 to the port of Pevek in the autonomous Chukotka region in Russia's extreme northeast, 350 kilometres (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.

The barge can produce enough electricity to power a town of 200,000 residents, far more than the 5,000 live in Pevek, Russia's northernmost town.

It will be primarily used to power oil rigs as Russia pushes further north into the Arctic to drill for oil and gas and needs electricity in far-flung locations.

Vitaly Trutnev, who is in charge of the construction and operation of floating nuclear power stations at Rosatom, said such units would "supply electricity and heat to the most remote regions, supporting also growth and sustainable development."

He said use of such floating reactors can save 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

The barge had initially been scheduled to be fuelled in Saint Petersburg, but that work was moved to Murmansk instead due to concern in countries along the Baltic Sea.&nbsp

Built in Saint Petersburg, the Akademik Lomonosov arrived in Murmansk on Thursday where it was moored in the port and presented to the media on Saturday

Russia on Saturday unveiled the world's first floating nuclear power station at a ceremony in the port of the far northern city of Murmansk where it will be loaded with nuclear fuel before heading to eastern Siberia. Built in Saint Petersburg, the Akademik Lomonosov arrived in Murmansk on Thursday where it was moored in the port and presented to the media on Saturday. Constructed by the state nuclear power firm Rosatom, the 144 by 30 metre (472 by 98 foot) ship holds two reactors with two 35 megawatt nuclear reactors that are similar to those used to power icebreaker ships. The 21,000-tonne barge will be towed in the summer of 2019 to the port of Pevek in the autonomous Chukotka region in Russia's extreme northeast, 350 kilometres (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. The barge can produce enough electricity to power a town of 200,000 residents, far more than the 5,000 live in Pevek, Russia's northernmost town. It will be primarily used to power oil rigs as Russia pushes further north into the Arctic to drill for oil and gas and needs electricity in far-flung locations. Vitaly Trutnev, who is in charge of the construction and operation of floating nuclear power stations at Rosatom, said such units would "supply electricity and heat to the most remote regions, supporting also growth and sustainable development." He said use of such floating reactors can save 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The barge had initially been scheduled to be fuelled in Saint Petersburg, but that work was moved to Murmansk instead due to concern in countries along the Baltic Sea.

Russia unveils world's first floating nuclear power station

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