Enriched uranium supplier to Czech utility ČEZ expands capacity in the Netherlands

Urenco has decided to further expand the capacity of its uranium enrichment facility in Almelo, the Netherlands. This represents an increase of 1.5 million separative work units (SWU), to be implemented in two stages by 2030. The investment is linked to growing global demand for enriched uranium. ČEZ is also among the buyers of enriched uranium.

The company announced the first stage of the capacity expansion at the Almelo site in December 2023. The increase is expected to amount to approximately 750,000 SWU. Work on this phase is already under way, with company management expecting completion by 2027. The second stage of the expansion envisages the addition of a further 750,000 SWU and, according to Urenco, will be completed by 2030.

Urenco, which originated in the UK, operates not only in the British Isles but also in the Netherlands, Germany and the United States. Its facilities enable the production of enriched uranium with a U-235 isotope concentration exceeding 5%. In the US, the company received approval for the necessary licence amendment to increase enrichment levels to up to 10%. This year, Slovenské elektrárne also signed a contract with Urenco for supplies of enriched uranium.

At the end of 2024, according to a World Nuclear Association (WNA) report, the combined annual capacity of all Urenco plants stood at 17.3 million SWU. Of this, 13 million SWU was accounted for by its European production facilities, with the remaining 4.3 million SWU coming from its US plant. The company is now also expanding capacity at its sites in Eunice, US, and Gronau, Germany. At the same time, facilities are being modernised and refurbished at all locations where Urenco operates. Overall, it is investing in an additional 2.5 million SWU of capacity worldwide.

"We are encouraged by actions from both utilities and governments to support the nuclear industry and, specifically, the fuel supply chain. We will assess further expansion depending on whether it is underpinned by long-term contracts. Stable government policy and positive developments in the EU aimed at gradually phasing out Russian nuclear material through the REPowerEU plan are also of crucial importance," stated Ad Louter, managing director of Urenco Almelo.

Growing global demand

The WNA's 2023 report on projected demand and the availability of nuclear fuel supplies still recorded underutilised conversion and enrichment plants. This is no longer the case today, with all facilities operating at full capacity.

This year's report states that current global uranium enrichment capacity remains technically sufficient. However, it highlights supply security and the risk of geopolitical dependence. Global demand for enrichment services is expected to rise by around 17% by 2028, while available capacity will increase by only approximately 7% over the same period.

Forecasts differ across the various projected scenarios for the development of nuclear power. For example, the Reference Scenario, based on stated intentions by governments and energy companies, assumes that the need for new enrichment capacity will become more pronounced only in the second half of the 2030s. By contrast, the so-called Upper Scenario, which outlines far more extensive growth, expects capacity expansion to be needed during this decade.

Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom to supply ČEZ with natural uranium for seven years

Enriched uranium for ČEZ

In December last year, ČEZ concluded an agreement to continue purchasing enriched uranium from the multinational company Urenco. After 20 years of cooperation, it has thus secured supplies until the mid-2030s.

Earlier that year, ČEZ also secured supplies from French company Orano. While Orano was already supplying the Temelín nuclear power plant, the second contract newly secured supplies for the Dukovany nuclear power plant as well.