Germany Approves French Nuclear Fuel Plant Collaboration with Russia's Rosatom
Germany has approved French firm Framatome's application to produce nuclear fuel rods under a licensing deal with Russian state companies, despite political concerns over the war in Ukraine.
Germany's Lower Saxony environment ministry on Wednesday approved an application by a subsidiary of French nuclear company Framatome to manufacture fuel elements at a plant in northern Germany, using Russian licenses and technology in a joint venture with Russian firms TVEL and Rosatom. The decision came despite political concerns stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine, as authorities stated they lacked a legal basis for rejection.
The approval allows Framatome to produce fuel for Russian-designed reactors serving the Eastern European market. Framatome argues this is an interim step to help customers diversify away from direct Russian purchases until it develops its own production technology.
The federal environment ministry noted that while Berlin views cooperation with a Russian state-owned company critically, the decision was made in accordance with German nuclear law. The ministry stated that the appropriate instrument to address the issue would be EU-wide sanctions on the nuclear sector, but so far a majority of member states have not supported such measures. Germany continues to push for EU sanctions in this area.
The license includes conditions to mitigate security and sabotage risks: a ban on TVEL or Rosatom employees entering the facility, and external security audits of equipment and fuel rods arriving from Russia. Framatome welcomed the decision, saying it strengthens European energy security and supports industrial sovereignty. A federal ministry spokesperson told Reuters that Germany is working towards EU agreement on extending sanctions to the nuclear power sector.
