Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), a joint venture between Silex and Cameco, has been invited to bid for up to US$900 million ($1.38 billion) in funding from the US Department of Energy’s Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition program. The aim of this funding is to incentivise the establishment of new LEU enrichment capacity in the US by the end of 2031. GLE was one of six awardees selected by the DOE under its US$3.4 billion LEU request for proposals program in December 2024. GLE has until 25 August 2025 to submit its bid.
Silex invented and developed the SILEX laser isotope separation technology in Sydney during the 1990s. Silex is an Australian technology company focused on the development and commercialisation of its SILEX laser enrichment technology for uranium production. GLE is the exclusive licensee of the SILEX uranium enrichment technology and is the commercialisation vehicle for the ‘SILEX’ technology.
Any meaningful funding awarded to GLE under the LEU RFP could help offset the significant contributions that the JV owners will need to expend towards establishing a new US-based LEU capacity at the planned Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) in Western Kentucky, US. The invitation to bid for funding under TO2 comes after GLE’s award of an initial US$500,000 in April 2025 under TO1, which laid the foundation for access to large-scale funding.
Silex says GLE’s potential deployment of the SILEX uranium enrichment technology could provide a significant contribution to nuclear fuel production for the world’s current and future nuclear reactor fleet, including small modular reactors. Silex and GLE have accelerated construction of full-scale laser and separator equipment being deployed in GLE’s Test Loop facility in Wilmington, with the aim of completing a commercial-scale pilot demonstration around mid-2025.
