A Fight for Energy Independence: Anti-Nuclear Activists Challenge Cooperation with Russia at Lingen Nuclear Fuel Factory
Activists advocating against nuclear energy express optimism about the potential termination of collaboration with Russia - Antagonists of nuclear energy advocates seek dissolution of collaboration with Russia.
On the battlefront of energy independence, anti-nuclear activists are making waves against the partnership between the Lingen Nuclear Fuel Factory and Russian nuclear corporations. Bettina Ackermann, an anti-nuclear advocate from the organization Ausgestrahlt, expressed her concerns, "The prospect of Rosatom muscling its way into the production of nuclear fuel in Lingen is a straight-up contradiction to the EU Commission's welcoming goals." She insists that the new federal government must nix any permits for such a project.
The EU Commission has made it crystal clear: they're determined to kick Russian gas out of the European Union by the end of 2027. They're ready to unveil concrete measures to make that happen in June. In the arena of nuclear energy, the commission aims to devise measures against Russian uranium imports and restrict new contracts for uranium, enriched uranium, and other nuclear materials from Russia[2].
Last year, a whopping 68.8 tons of uranium from Russia was shipped to the Lingen factory, marking a 66% increase compared to the previous year[1]. Lower Saxony’s Minister of the Environment, Christian Meyer (Greens), has sincerely hoped to slash dependencies on Russian uranium, following the coalition agreement at the beginning of 2025. Meyer argued for sanctions against Russia, particularly in the sensitive sector of nuclear energy. He branded Putin the "war monger" and warned against engaging in business with him, emphasizing that his actions pose great risks[1].
The Lingen Nuclear Fuel Factory is under the wing of the French state-owned company, Framatome. The Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF), a subsidiary of Framatome, had initially intended to produce nuclear fuel for Russian reactor types in the factory[2].
The cooperation between the Lingen factory and Russia, through Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF) and Rosatom (via its subsidiary TVEL), has gone through several shifts. In 2023, Framatome established a joint venture with TVEL, forming European Hexagonal Fuel SAS, to produce fuel assemblies for VVER reactors in Lingen, Germany[3]. However, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the plans were adjusted to a solely Framatome-led production, still operated under TVEL's license[3]. This change allows Framatome to commence the production of fuel assemblies for VVER-type reactors in Europe, potentially reducing the need for Russian imports[2].
While Russia’s influence over the project may have subsided, Rosatom still wields some influence as a license holder and sub-supplier[2]. The future of the Lingen factory could potentially see a reduction in Russian involvement, but only time will tell if the EU Commission and the German federal government's measures will prove effective in this endeavor.
- Anti-nuclear activists are fiercely opposing the collaboration between the Lingen Nuclear Fuel Factory and Russian nuclear corporations, viewing it as a fundamental contradiction to the EU Commission's objectives of encouraging EU-wide energy independence.
- Bettina Ackermann, an anti-nuclear advocate, implores the new federal government to revoke any permits for a project with the Lingen factory and Russian nuclear companies.
- In the wake of increasing Russian uranium imports, Lower Saxony’s Minister of the Environment, Christian Meyer, has advocated for reduced dependence on Russian uranium, aiming to impose sanctions against Russia in the nuclear sector.
- The Lingen Nuclear Fuel Factory, owned by the French state-owned company, Framatome, had initially aimed to produce nuclear fuel for Russian reactor types in the factory, through its subsidiary, Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF), in partnership with Rosatom (via its subsidiary TVEL).
- Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the production plans between ANF, TVEL, and the Lingen factory were adjusted, with Framatome taking the lead, still licensed by TVEL, to produce fuel assemblies for VVER-type reactors in Europe.
- Despite the adjustments, Rosatom still holds some influence in the Lingen factory as a license holder and sub-supplier, leaving open the possibility for future reduction in Russian involvement in the project, pending the EU Commission and German federal government's measures.
