EU: Europe's nuclear power supply will not be at risk if Niger stops supplying uranium

The current political situation in Niger could also have a direct impact on the energy sector, as the country is one of the leading suppliers of uranium to the European and global markets. However, representatives of the European Atomic Energy Community say there is no risk to fuel supplies for European nuclear power plants, either in the short or long term.

The Community said that last year, uranium deliveries from Niger covered 25.4% of the EU's needs, at nearly 3 thousand tonnes. Kazakhstan has traditionally been the largest supplier of uranium to the European market, with Canada in third place.

"If imports from Niger are halted, there will be no immediate risk to the security of nuclear power generation in the short term," the Euratom Community said, according to Reuters.

European companies also have extensive stocks of uranium and nuclear fuel. According to Euratom data, stocks of nuclear material held in storage totalled 35.7 thousand tonnes of natural uranium equivalent last year, while annual consumption is around 12.5 thousand tonnes.

Europe could also diversify its imports within three years. In addition to the development of new deposits, uranium could be supplied from mining areas in Canada, Australia or Namibia that do not currently supply uranium.

"As for the medium and long term, there are sufficient deposits on the global market," a Euratom spokesperson said, according to Reuters.