WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), a GE Vernova-led alliance with Hitachi, Ltd., announced on October 6, 2025, the introduction of GNF4, its next-generation nuclear fuel product designed for boiling water reactors (BWRs). This advanced fuel aims to enhance the safety, reliability, and economic performance of nuclear power plants, with initial deployment of lead use assemblies slated for 2026 and full reload quantities expected by 2030.
Advancing BWR Fuel Technology
GNF4 represents a significant leap forward in nuclear fuel technology, building on GNF’s 60-year legacy of innovation in BWR fuel design, which includes previous generations like GNF2 and GNF3. The new fuel assembly incorporates several advanced components and design features aimed at optimizing reactor performance and extending operational lifecycles.
Key Innovations Driving GNF4
The core of GNF4’s enhanced performance lies in its proprietary materials and structural design. Two critical components, licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), are central to its advanced capabilities:
- Ziron Cladding: Developed to offer superior corrosion resistance compared to the traditional Zircaloy 2 cladding used in over 175,000 GNF fuel assemblies worldwide, Ziron cladding enhances fuel safety and reliability by reducing hydrogen pickup. This technology received NRC approval in 2019.
- Aluminosilicate Doped Uranium Dioxide Pellets: These innovative pellets introduce an additional layer of reliability and provide accident-tolerant protection against pellet-clad interaction, a crucial safety improvement.
Beyond these materials, the GNF4 fuel assembly features an 11×11 fuel matrix, which increases the heat-generating surface area. This design allows for a more efficient use of uranium and significantly improves fuel cycle economics by offering lower reload costs in the market.
Enhanced Reliability and Performance
GNF4 also integrates other proven technologies to maximize its operational advantages:
- NSF Channel Material: This distortion-resistant zirconium alloy, composed primarily of zirconium, niobium, tin, and iron, is designed to reduce fuel channel distortion in BWRs, ensuring consistent performance.
- Defender+ Debris Filter: With a history of low debris incident frequency across more than 20,000 bundles in various reactor types, the Defender+ debris filter provides maximum resistance against foreign material, safeguarding the fuel rods.
Craig Ranson, Installed Base CEO at GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, emphasized that GNF4 is engineered to provide plant operators with lower fuel costs per megawatt-hour through increased performance and reliability.
Manufacturing and Future Outlook
GNF4 fuel assemblies are being fabricated at Global Nuclear Fuel‘s manufacturing facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. The initial lead use assemblies are scheduled for deployment in commercial reactors in 2026, marking a critical step towards full commercialization. By 2030, GNF anticipates that full reload quantities of GNF4 will be available, enabling widespread adoption across the BWR fleet.
This development underscores the ongoing commitment by GE-Hitachi to innovation in nuclear energy, striving for safer, more efficient, and economically competitive nuclear power generation. The advancements in GNF4 are expected to play a vital role in supporting the long-term operation of existing boiling water reactors and contributing to a stable, carbon-free energy supply.
