Centrus-Oklo HALEU Deal Bolsters U.S. Nuclear Fuel Chain Amid AI-Driven Power Surge

Centrus Energy and Oklo have formalized a non-binding Letter of Intent for Centrus to supply domestically produced high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) starting in 2029, sufficient for up to five of Oklo's Aurora powerhouses, including those at the planned 1.2 GW campus in southern Ohio. The fuel will originate from Centrus' American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Pike County, Ohio. This builds on prior collaborations, including a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding and a March 2026 announcement of a potential joint venture for HALEU deconversion services co-located at the same site. Company statements emphasize creating an integrated domestic fuel supply chain to reduce reliance on foreign sources, historically dominated by Russia and China. The deal coincides with broader momentum in advanced nuclear deployment. U.S. Department of Energy materials highlight HALEU as essential for next-generation reactors and note ongoing efforts to secure domestic uranium supplies amid rising electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Parallel developments include partnerships between nuclear firms and tech companies, such as NANO Nuclear's MOU with Supermicro for microreactors targeting AI data centers and Amazon's investments in advanced reactors via X-energy. Centrus CEO Amir Vexler described the agreement as a milestone in restoring U.S. uranium enrichment capabilities at scale, while market reactions saw shares of Centrus, Oklo, Energy Fuels, NuScale, and NANO Nuclear rise sharply. The arrangement underscores a strategic pivot toward energy security through domestic nuclear infrastructure, distinct from coverage centered on oil markets or intermittent renewables.