Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) has received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under 10 CFR Part 810, allowing the export of its ANEEL nuclear fuel technology and services to India. The license, signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, carries endorsements from India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
CCTE’s patented ANEEL fuel—thorium-enriched uranium designed for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)—promises higher burnup, reduced waste, lower costs, improved safety, and nonproliferation benefits. This regulatory approval validates India’s demand for ANEEL fuel, strengthens the U.S. HALEU ecosystem, and signals new momentum for bilateral nuclear cooperation.
Mehul Shah, CEO and Founder of CCTE, called the approval a “historic step” in U.S.–India nuclear relations, noting that it reactivates the U.S.–India 123 Agreement and accelerates the path toward clean energy security. He emphasized that ANEEL fuel, with thorium as its foundation, can transform nuclear energy performance while ensuring safer and more sustainable outcomes.
The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) also welcomed the milestone. Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of USISPF, highlighted the development as proof of how American nuclear innovation combined with India’s expertise can strengthen trust, enhance energy security, and advance global nonproliferation objectives.
CCTE’s progress has been further validated by recent results at Idaho National Lab’s Advanced Test Reactor. In August 2025, a second set of ANEEL fuel rodlets achieved burnup levels of 45 GWd/MTU—six to seven times higher than typical PHWR natural uranium fuel. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for redefining reactor performance and sustainability.
Commenting on the achievement, Anil V Parab, Whole-time Director and Senior EVP at Larsen & Toubro, said ANEEL fuel can significantly improve the competitiveness of PHWR/CANDU technology while accelerating thorium’s role as a viable alternative to conventional uranium fuel.
CCTE is also expanding partnerships in India, having announced collaborations in 2024 with Larsen & Toubro and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). These alliances aim to advance technical validation and pave the way for commercial deployment of ANEEL fuel across India’s nuclear sector in the near future.
Clean Core Thorium Energy is a U.S.-based advanced nuclear technology company specializing in thorium and HALEU-based fuel development. Its proprietary ANEEL™ fuel is engineered to improve safety, cost-effectiveness, and proliferation resistance in PHWRs and CANDU reactors, while drastically cutting down nuclear waste.
