The Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, known as Necsa, has signed a binding deal with Quantum Leap Energy to make a special nuclear fuel at Pelindaba.
The fuel is called High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium, or HALEU. Many new types of nuclear reactors need it to run.
Quantum Leap Energy is fully owned by ASP Isotopes, a company listed in the United States. The two partners plan to build, fund, own and run a test bench and a full commercial plant for the fuel.
Necsa Group Chief Executive Officer Loyiso Tyabashe said the world needs new, reliable and secure sources of advanced nuclear fuel. He said South Africa is well placed to supply them.
Tyabashe said Necsa would bring decades of experience in running nuclear sites, safeguards and meeting the rules of regulators.
Under the agreed terms, Quantum Leap Energy will own about 80% of the joint venture. It will lead the day to day work and arrange the money needed for the project.
Necsa will own about 20%. It will give the venture access to the Pelindaba site. It will also help with nuclear safeguards, licences and dealing with regulators.
The partners also plan for Necsa to take on engineering, procurement and construction work for Quantum Leap Energy. This would give the project direct use of Necsa’s own engineers.
Quantum Leap Energy said putting its enrichment technology together with Necsa’s nuclear base gives an efficient path to making HALEU on a commercial scale.
Quantum Leap Energy Chief Executive Officer Dr Ryno Pretorius said the agreement shows commercial progress. He said it brings the company closer to starting enrichment.
Pretorius said the partnership gives the company access to Necsa’s nuclear site and its skills. He said its supply deals with TerraPower put the venture in a position to fuel the next generation of nuclear reactors.
TerraPower is a company that develops advanced nuclear reactors. Quantum Leap Energy has signed supply agreements with it to buy the HALEU the plant is expected to make. This means the fuel already has a buyer.
The new deal follows a Memorandum of Understanding the two sides signed in November 2024. It also follows a Pre-Implementation Services Contract signed in February 2026.
In July 2026, the Ministry of Electricity and Energy gave Quantum Leap Energy approval for uranium enrichment work at Pelindaba. The approval covers getting, keeping, using, moving and disposing of source material and nuclear equipment and technology.
A test bench facility has already been built at the site. Work to fix up the buildings that house it is under way, and talks with the relevant authorities have started.
Pelindaba has hosted nuclear work for more than 60 years. It is home to the 20MW SAFARI-1 research reactor.
According to Green Building Africa, the planned venture could make South Africa a possible supplier in the growing world market for HALEU.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Green Building Africa. Image: Green Building Africa. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.