Westinghouse Announces Landmark Expansion in South Carolina to Advance Next-Generation Nuclear Fuel

Approximately $1 billion Investment to Boost LEU+ Fuel Production

HOPKINS, S.C., October 21, 2026--Westinghouse Electric Company today announced an approximately $1 billion investment to construct one of the most advanced nuclear fuel factories in the United States at its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Hopkins, S.C. This plant, which is the first fleet-scale nuclear fuel factory built in the United States in more than 50 years, is expected to lead the way in commercial scale Low Enriched Uranium Plus (LEU+) fuel production. Construction on the new LEU+ Fuel factory is underway and on track to begin operations in 2030. LEU+ Fuel manufacturing at Columbia is expected to enable the effective long-term operation of today's nuclear fleet and support the industrialization of AP1000® reactors worldwide.

Aligned with the United States' UPRISE program, LEU+ Fuel is expected to unlock advanced operating plant uprates that would provide near-term expansion of nuclear power output nationwide to meet the growing demand for baseload nuclear power. LEU+ Fuel, which has a higher level of uranium enrichment (5% to 8%), also offers the flexibility to extend operating cycles, helping nuclear power plant operators lower operating costs and deliver greater value to their customers. In 2025, the first successful deployment of LEU+ Fuel in the United States marked a major milestone. The new Columbia factory builds on this delivery, creating a turning point with the potential to bring this super-efficient fuel industrywide.

"South Carolina is already leading America's nuclear renaissance, and our state has been producing the nuclear fuel that powers approximately 10% of the United States from Westinghouse's fuel operations in Richland County," said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. "We are grateful for Westinghouse's continued leadership in South Carolina, and we look forward to it expanding its work in our state to create next-generation fuel products that will continue to support nuclear energy production well into the future."

"This investment is a testament to our state's skilled workforce and the important role we play in strengthening America's clean energy," said Congressman James E. Clyburn. "By expanding our domestic nuclear fuel production capabilities, we are creating economic opportunities, supporting good-paying jobs and positioning South Carolina as a leader in the nation's energy sector."

"A strong American nuclear industry starts with a secure, domestic supply of nuclear fuel," said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish. "The Department of Energy is investing billions to restore American uranium enrichment capabilities for both low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium. Westinghouse's nearly $1 billion investment in South Carolina builds on that effort by expanding the manufacturing capacity needed to turn enriched uranium into fuel that powers our existing reactors and supports the next generation of nuclear technology."