US Nuclear Utilities Face Widening Uranium-Supply Gap Amid High Costs and Dependence on International Suppliers.

US nuclear utilities face a widening uranium supply gap over the next decade, with a combined shortage of 184 million pounds expected. High costs are delaying decisions to cover future fuel requirements, and the EIA warns of possible shortages, highlighting supply chain challenges in the world's biggest atomic-power market. The report suggests more utilities may need to forge shorter-term arrangements to keep reactors operating.

US nuclear utilities are bracing for a significant uranium supply gap over the next decade, with a projected shortage of 184 million pounds. High costs and supply chain challenges are delaying decisions to secure future fuel requirements, according to the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report. This situation highlights the need for strategic initiatives like Centrus Energy's (NYSE: LEU) recent multi-billion-dollar expansion in Ohio.

On September 25, 2025, Centrus Energy announced a major expansion of its uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio. The project, pending U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding, aims to add 1,000 construction jobs and 300 operations jobs, dramatically boosting capacity for Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1]. This expansion is a strategic response to the growing uranium supply gap and the need for domestic enrichment capabilities.

Centrus Energy's stock has surged over the past year, with a record stock surge of over 500% year-on-year, recently hitting a new 52-week high of $265.48 per share Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1]. The company has raised $1.2 billion in convertible notes and secured $2 billion in purchase commitments from utilities worldwide to support this expansion Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1]. Centrus Energy's strong financial performance, with a net income of $28.9 million in Q2 2025 on $154.5 million revenue, further underscores its ability to fund this ambitious project Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1].

The expansion is critical for national security and the nuclear renaissance. The U.S. DOE is currently offering $3.4 billion+ in funding to jumpstart domestic fuel production, and Centrus has submitted proposals to secure a large share of these awards Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1]. The Inflation Reduction Act (2022) also set aside $700M for HALEU availability, positioning Centrus as a prime contender for these contracts Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1].

Analysts are divided on Centrus Energy's valuation, with targets ranging from $108 to $310 Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1]. Despite the stock's huge rally, some analysts warn that the valuation has run far ahead of fundamentals, while others argue that Centrus is uniquely positioned for decades of growth in the nuclear sector Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1].

Centrus Energy's stock price movement reflects its transformation from a niche micro-cap into a strategic growth story. One year ago, LEU traded around $40-50; it steadily climbed through early 2025 and then went parabolic this summer, reaching a new 52-week high of $265.48 Centrus Energy’s Multi-Billion Nuclear Bet Pays Off – LEU Stock Skyrockets on Uranium Boom^[1].

In conclusion, Centrus Energy's nuclear expansion in Ohio is a strategic response to the widening uranium supply gap. The company's strong financial performance and potential DOE funding make this expansion feasible and crucial for the future of the U.S. nuclear industry.