Government Stakes and Corporate Commitments
As part of the agreement, Cameco announced that the federal government will hold a participation interest, entitling it to 20% of any cash distributions exceeding $17.5 billion made by Westinghouse after the interest is formalized.
This arrangement depends on the government’s final investment decision and completion of new reactor construction totaling at least $80 billion.
Furthermore, Cameco said that once the government’s stake vests, it will have the right to compel Westinghouse to go public before 2029 — but only if an initial public offering could value the nuclear giant at more than $30 billion.
A Phoenix Rising From Bankruptcy
Westinghouse’s return to the spotlight is nothing short of a corporate resurrection. The company — once the pride of American nuclear innovation — was rescued from bankruptcy in 2018 by Brookfield Asset Management, following a turbulent attempt to complete the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia.
Cameco later joined as co-owner in 2023, adding its uranium expertise to the mix. Together, they have refocused Westinghouse’s mission on small modular and advanced reactor technologies that promise quicker builds and higher safety standards.
“This partnership with the U.S. government will help unlock the potential that Westinghouse and nuclear energy can play to accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence in the United States,” said Brookfield President Connor Teskey, hailing the collaboration as a catalyst for innovation and energy independence.
