Centrus Taps Fluor for Ohio Plant to Secure US Nuclear Fuel Supply

BETHESDA, MD – February 11, 2026 – In a landmark move to re-establish American leadership in the nuclear fuel market, Centrus Energy has selected global engineering giant Fluor to spearhead the multi-billion-dollar expansion of its uranium enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio. The strategic partnership aims to dramatically scale up domestic production of nuclear fuel, a decision driven by escalating global energy demands and a pressing national security imperative to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Under the multi-year contract, Fluor will serve as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, overseeing every phase of the massive project. This includes engineering and design, managing a complex global supply chain, and directing construction and commissioning of the new capacity. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. nuclear industry, signaling a full-throttle effort to restore a sovereign capability that has dwindled over recent decades.

"This is another critical milestone for us as we begin our expansion in earnest," said Centrus President and CEO Amir Vexler in a statement. "Fluor is a global leader with decades of experience managing complex nuclear construction projects and is an ideal partner as we transition to a large-scale deployment."

A Strategic Push for American Energy Independence

The expansion is not merely a commercial venture; it is a direct response to a fragile geopolitical landscape. For years, the United States has relied heavily on imported enriched uranium to power its fleet of commercial nuclear reactors, which provide about 20% of the nation's electricity. A significant portion of these enrichment services, at times nearly a quarter of the supply, has come from Russia.

This dependency became an untenable national security risk, prompting Washington to take decisive action. The recent enactment of the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act has created an urgent need for a robust, domestic supply chain. Centrus's Piketon expansion is a cornerstone of this new reality. By ramping up domestic production, the U.S. aims to insulate its energy grid and national security missions from geopolitical volatility and the influence of foreign adversaries.

Centrus is uniquely positioned to fill this void. The company is the only entity in the United States with a license to produce High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) and has been identified by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as a sole-source provider for certain critical uranium enrichment activities. This underscores the project's dual importance for both clean commercial energy and foundational national defense programs.

Revitalizing Ohio's Nuclear Heartland

The project represents a monumental investment in America's industrial heartland. The multi-billion-dollar initiative is expected to inject significant economic vitality into southern Ohio, a region with a deep-rooted history in the nuclear sector. The former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, also located in Piketon, was a key part of the nation's nuclear infrastructure for nearly half a century.

The expansion is projected to create over 1,300 jobs during its construction and operational phases, providing a major boost to the local economy. For Fluor, the project is a return to familiar ground. The firm was previously contracted in the late 2000s for the initial American Centrifuge Plant project at the same site and is also involved in the long-term decommissioning of the adjacent Portsmouth plant, giving it unparalleled institutional knowledge of the location.

Fluor's extensive resume includes managing some of the most complex nuclear cleanup and construction projects for the U.S. Department of Energy, including at the Hanford Site in Washington and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. This proven track record was a key factor in its selection.

"We are proud of our long-term relationship with Centrus and are honored to be partnering with them on a project of profound importance to our energy security and national security," said Al Collins, Business Group President for Mission Solutions at Fluor.

Fueling the Next Generation of Nuclear Power

The Piketon expansion is designed to meet two distinct but equally critical market needs. First, it will produce large-scale quantities of Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU), the standard fuel for the existing global fleet of nuclear reactors. This will help Centrus address its formidable $2.3 billion commercial backlog and meet growing demand from utilities seeking stable, reliable fuel sources.

Second, and perhaps more significantly for the future, the facility will establish a commercial-scale production line for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU). This advanced nuclear fuel, enriched to a higher level than LEU, is essential for many next-generation advanced reactor designs. These smaller, more efficient reactors are central to future plans for decarbonization, but their deployment has been stymied by the lack of a reliable HALEU supply chain outside of Russia.

Centrus plans to build an initial capacity of 12 metric tons of HALEU per year. This effort is strongly supported by the U.S. government, evidenced by a recent $900 million task order awarded to Centrus by the Department of Energy to ramp up HALEU production. To support this ambitious goal, Centrus is also investing over $560 million to transition its centrifuge manufacturing factory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to high-rate manufacturing.

Navigating a Shifting Global Market

The push for decarbonization has sparked a global renaissance in nuclear energy, driving up the long-term demand for enriched uranium. Centrus's expansion is a major step toward meeting this demand, but it enters a competitive field. European giants like Urenco and Orano are also developing their own HALEU production capabilities to capture a piece of the emerging advanced reactor market.

However, by moving aggressively with government backing and a proven technology, Centrus is positioning the United States to not only achieve self-sufficiency but also to potentially become a key supplier to allied nations. The ability to provide a secure and reliable source of both LEU and HALEU could become a powerful tool of American foreign policy and industrial strategy in the coming decades.

As construction begins in Piketon, the project represents far more than just a new industrial facility. It is a tangible symbol of a renewed American commitment to nuclear energy, a strategic investment in national security, and a critical enabler of the clean energy future. This multi-billion-dollar bet in Ohio is not just about building a plant; it's about rebuilding a strategic national capability from the ground up.