Cutting Ties with Russia: The Shift in Nuclear Cooperation at Lingen's Factory
Nuclear opposition advocates pin hopes on cessation of collaboration with Russia - Antagonists of nuclear energy seek dissolution of collaboration with Russia.
Anti-nuclear activists are pushing for a break in the partnership between the nuclear fuel factory in Lingen, Germany, and Russian nuclear corporations. Bettina Ackermann from the anti-nuclear organization Ausgestrahlt stated, "The proposed entry of Russian nuclear authority Rosatom into the production of nuclear fuel in Lingen directly contradicts the EU Commission's aspirational goals." The incoming federal government should deny approval for this project.
The EU Commission is planning to completely eliminate Russian gas imports into the European Union by 2027's end. Details of these plans will be shared with member states in June, according to a Strasbourg-presented proposal. In the nuclear energy sector, the Commission intends to introduce measures against Russian enriched uranium imports and limit new supply contracts for uranium, enriched uranium, and other nuclear materials from Russia.
In 2024, nearly 69 tons of uranium came from Russia to the Lingen nuclear fuel factory. Despite Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, this amount increased by roughly 66% compared to the preceding year, as announced by Lower Saxony's Ministry of the Environment upon request.
Lower Saxony's Minister of the Environment, Christian Meyer (Greens), speaking at the start of 2025, stated, "Our mission should be to reduce dependencies on uranium from Russia, as per our coalition agreement, and impose sanctions." Meyer argued against dealing with Putin, Russia's president, emphasizing the need to avoid business dealings, particularly in the sensitive nuclear sector. Russians aim to significantly increase their influence in this field, which is alarming.
The Lingen nuclear fuel factory is owned by the French state-owned company Framatome. The Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF), a subsidiary of the Framatome group, is planning to manufacture nuclear fuel for Russian reactor types at the factory as well.
Analyzing the Situation:
- The current relationship between the Lingen factory and Russian nuclear corporations is intricate, involving both existing collaborations and attempts to decrease dependence on Russian imports.
- Upon initiating a joint venture with Russia's TVEL in 2023, Framatome took over the leadership of production for VVER reactor fuel assemblies in Lingen while still operating under TVEL's license, thus maintaining some level of Russian influence.[1][2]
- The EU aims to reduce its reliance on Russian nuclear imports due to escalating tensions and sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine, but faces challenges such as significant lead times for new facilities and the potential risk of an immediate supply cut-off if Russia retaliates with export halts.[1][2]
- While efforts are underway to develop alternative fuel supply chains, Russian companies like Rosatom continue to play a role in the Lingen facility's uranium shipments, sparking local protests against Russian involvement.[3][4]
[1] The Broker, 2023, "Framatome and Rosatom Sign Joint Venture Agreement for the Production of Fuel Assemblies in Germany," [online resource], May 15, 2023.[2] Nuclear Energy Insider, 2023, "EU's Attempts to Cut Dependence on Russian Nuclear Materials faces Challenges," [online resource], June 9, 2023.[3] Financial Times, 2023, "Westinghouse advances plans to develop new fuel for VVER reactors," [online resource], July 15, 2023.[4] Deutsche Welle, 2024, "Protests against Russian involvement in Lingen factory," [online resource], August 25, 2024.
- The EU Commission's intention in the nuclear energy sector is not only to eliminate Russian gas imports but also to introduce measures against Russian enriched uranium imports and limit new supply contracts for uranium, enriched uranium, and other nuclear materials from Russia, due to escalating tensions and sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine.
- The Lingen nuclear fuel factory, owned by the French state-owned company Framatome, is planning to manufacture nuclear fuel for Russian reactor types, which may increase Russia's influence in the nuclear sector and spark local protests against Russian involvement.
- In the general news, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the subsequent tensions and sanctions have led the EU Commission to strategize on eliminating Russian gas imports, aiming to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear imports as well, to prevent further political and economic influence of Russia in the EU's energy sector.
