In 2023, Westinghouse announced the creation of a Center of Excellence for Low Enriched Uranium Plus (LEU+) fuel at CFFF to deliver nuclear fuel with uranium enriched above the traditional limit of 5%. LEU+ fuel will contain enrichments of up to 8% that can operate longer in large PWR reactors to allow longer operating cycles between refueling, and also support super-uprated levels of power production without curtailing fuel cycles. Westinghouse and Southern Nuclear achieved the first U.S. deployment of LEU+ fuel in 2025.
This new plant will be fitted with advanced equipment to support existing and new customers as they move to more cost-effective clean energy operations using LEU+ fuel. This LEU+ fuel plant is expected to supply fuel to reactors that will operate into the next century.
Westinghouse is the first nuclear fuel producer to offer customers LEU+ fuel with enrichments of up to 8%, which can improve cost benefits to customers over lower levels of enrichment.
For nearly six decades, Westinghouse has a long history in South Carolina – dating back to the 1969. Today, our Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) in Hopkins is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world.
The CFFF team serves customers around the world, including producing the nuclear fuel supporting about 10% of the electrical power produced within the United States.
We strive to be the industry's most responsive supplier of flawless, value-added fuel products and services. To do so, Westinghouse is committed to safety and quality while meeting customer needs and expectations. We also remain committed to being a good neighbor to the Lower Richland community. Learn more about our work in the community here.
In 2026, Westinghouse site preparation began for a new state-of-the-art LEU+ plant at the CFFF that is expected to be operational in 2030 with a total investment of nearly $1 billion.
This new facility will be fitted with advanced equipment to support existing and new customers as they move to more cost-effective clean energy operations using LEU+ fuel.
LEU+ fuel, using enrichments of up to 8%, can operate longer in large PWR reactors to allow longer operating cycles between refueling, and also support super-uprated levels of power production without curtailing fuel cycles.
This LEU+ fuel facility is expected to supply fuel to reactors that will operate into the next century.
This expansion will produce $4.9 billion in positive economic impact over 10 years, according to an independent economic impact study by the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.
As construction continues on the new LEU+ fuel facility, Westinghouse will balance growth with environmental stewardship, including native landscaping that provides wildlife habitat and supports clean air and water.
Westinghouse has been a proud member of the Lower Richland County community since 1968. As the company progresses toward this historic operational expansion, CFFF is committed to operating as an active, transparent, and supportive community partner, with its neighbors.
Nuclear power provides approximately 20% of U.S. electricity. About 10% of all the electricity generated in the U.S. About 10 percent of all U.S. electricity comes from nuclear fuel manufactured by Westinghouse at CFFF.
For nearly 60 years, Westinghouse has provided innovative nuclear fuel products from its Hopkins site to power energy grids around the world and across the United States. As part of its long-term planning and technology development efforts, Westinghouse and Southern Nuclear achieved the first U.S. deployment of LEU+ fuel in 2025.
LEU+ Fuel Explained:
Westinghouse has used multiple methods to communicate about our expansion, including press releases, sharing information at community group meetings and events, emailing and calling external stakeholders, updating our community website and mailing postcards to all neighbors in Hopkins, Gadsden and Eastover in early December 2024, and hosting a community meet & greet in January 2025.
