Yes, actual demand for uranium. Even in light of reactor closures, total US nuclear output is at record highs due to uprates over the years. While some have already been in the works, we'll take any additional output that we can.
Agree this will have the most immediate impact, but most of that 5 GW bump is probably just going to come from equipment upgrades, not higher enrichment levels or faster consumption.
An example would be Entergy’s uprate. They’re getting an extra 40 MW just from replacing low-pressure turbine rotors. No extra uranium is going to be consumed
So it will drive some kind of impact, but i don’t think it will be much
For sure, this isn't some game changer in the grand scheme of things. But demand will go up. To your point, there will be some efficiency gains but I know for a fact that some uprates will cause increased uranium demand. We're talking tens of thousands of pounds per year, not a gigantic impact.
Thanks nice write up GRR. IDK if you read him but Gordian Knot has a similar underwhelmed view of all the hoopla. Jack does some great stuff and can really get into the weeds. https://open.substack.com/pub/jackdevanney/p/trumps-nrc-executive-order?r=4z2ca&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Hey Karl, I haven't read Gordian Knot but will check it out today. Thanks for sharing!
“the most immediate impact this Executive Order can have on actual demand is the uprating”
Actual demand for uranium?
Yes, actual demand for uranium. Even in light of reactor closures, total US nuclear output is at record highs due to uprates over the years. While some have already been in the works, we'll take any additional output that we can.
Agree this will have the most immediate impact, but most of that 5 GW bump is probably just going to come from equipment upgrades, not higher enrichment levels or faster consumption.
An example would be Entergy’s uprate. They’re getting an extra 40 MW just from replacing low-pressure turbine rotors. No extra uranium is going to be consumed
So it will drive some kind of impact, but i don’t think it will be much
https://www.power-eng.com/news/entergy-plans-for-nuclear-uprates-potential-new-reactor/#:~:text=Entergy's%20Grand%20Gulf%20Nuclear%20Power,utility's%20first%2Dquarter%20earnings%20call.
For sure, this isn't some game changer in the grand scheme of things. But demand will go up. To your point, there will be some efficiency gains but I know for a fact that some uprates will cause increased uranium demand. We're talking tens of thousands of pounds per year, not a gigantic impact.
A very sober and down-to-earth weekly roundup. This is a valuable assessment of the current situation. Well done, man.
Thanks PK! The sentiment whiplash is real!
Agreed GRR is up to date, a pleasure to read