Fact check: Which countries have experience with high-enriched uranium in nuclear power generation?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, the question about countries with experience using high-enriched uranium (HEU) in nuclear power generation reveals a critical distinction that needs clarification. The sources indicate that uranium enrichment capabilities exist in multiple countries including Russia, China, France, US, Netherlands, UK, and Germany ^[1], but this refers to enrichment facilities rather than actual use of HEU in power generation.

The most relevant finding comes from research reactor operations, where 71 research reactors have been converted from high-enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium, implying that many countries previously had experience with HEU in research applications ^[2]. However, none of the sources specifically identify countries that use high-enriched uranium for commercial nuclear power generation ^{[1] [3] [2]}.

Current global nuclear power operations involve hundreds of reactors generating electricity worldwide, but the sources do not specify their fuel enrichment levels for power generation purposes ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several critical gaps in addressing the original question:

• Commercial vs. research reactor distinction: The sources conflate uranium enrichment capabilities with actual HEU usage in power generation, when these are fundamentally different applications ^{[1] [2]}
• Current industry standards: The conversion trend from HEU to LEU in research reactors suggests that HEU usage is being phased out for safety and non-proliferation reasons ^[2], but this context is missing from discussions about power generation
• Enrichment levels specification: Commercial nuclear power typically uses low-enriched uranium (3-5% U-235) rather than high-enriched uranium (>20% U-235), but this technical distinction is not clearly addressed in the available sources
• Security and proliferation concerns: Countries and international organizations like the IAEA benefit from promoting LEU conversion programs to reduce proliferation risks, which may influence how HEU usage data is reported or discussed ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that may be factually incorrect. By asking "which countries have experience with high-enriched uranium in nuclear power generation," it presupposes that HEU is commonly used for power generation, when the evidence suggests:

• Most commercial nuclear power plants use low-enriched uranium, not high-enriched uranium for electricity generation
• The trend is moving away from HEU usage even in research applications ^[2]
• The question conflates enrichment capabilities with actual HEU power generation, which are distinct activities ^[1]

The framing could mislead readers into believing that HEU is a standard fuel for nuclear power plants, when in reality it poses significant proliferation and security risks that most countries actively avoid in civilian power generation. This distinction is crucial for understanding global nuclear energy policies and non-proliferation efforts.