France’s plan for more nuclear independence from Russia

According to the international group Tasnim news agency quoted by “NTV” Germany, for years that large amounts of radioactive material are brought from Europe to Russia to be re-enriched there – and, critics say, disposed of in Siberia. France is now considering the construction of a special facility for greater nuclear independence from Russia.

Thus, to reduce dependence on Russia, the French government is considering the construction of a plant to re-enrich uranium from spent fuel. has been The Ministry of Industry and Energy in France announced in this regard: “This possibility is being seriously investigated.” French power company EDF also confirmed that it is in talks with several partners to build a uranium re-enrichment plant by 2030 in Western Europe. It is located in Seversk, Siberia, at the slow enrichment nuclear power plant. In 2018, EDF signed a €600 million contract with the subsidiary of Russian nuclear company Rosatom to re-enrich uranium from spent fuel elements at Seversk. It is a complex process.

Jean-Michel Quilicini, director of the nuclear division at EDF, however, explained that the contract will be respected. He told Le Monde newspaper that he sees no reason to terminate this employment contract. He also said that, however, EDF is trying to “diversify geographical sources and suppliers”.

EDF explained that it is a “circular economy” that could be store raw materials for decades to come. The aim is to equip around 30% of the reactors with enriched uranium by the 2030s.

Many sanctions that the European Union has imposed since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine have so far affected the nuclear industry. set aside The environmental organization Greenpeace criticizes the continued trade with Russia in favor of the French nuclear industry. Even before the war began, the environmental organization criticized France for “dumping” radioactive waste in Siberia.

French President Emmanuel Macron has long promoted the development of Europe’s nuclear industry. which includes uranium processing. In February 2022, he announced a turnaround in France towards the re-expansion of nuclear power, promising to build up to 14 new reactors. The country’s independent energy supply helps and justifies. Critics note that France imports about half of the uranium it needs for nuclear power plants from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

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