Orano signs contract with Energoatom for uranium enrichment

French group Orano has signed an agreement with Energoatom to provide uranium enrichment services until 2040. This collaboration aims to reduce Ukraine's reliance on Rosatom, the Russian nuclear giant.

Partagez:

Orano, a French company specialising in the nuclear fuel cycle, has formalised a contract with Ukrainian operator Energoatom to provide uranium enrichment services until 2040. The deal, the value of which has not been disclosed, is part of Ukraine’s strategy to diversify its nuclear fuel supply sources.

Commitment to energy independence

Since the start of the conflict with Russia in 2022, Ukraine has been seeking to reduce its dependence on Rosatom, the world’s leading supplier of uranium enrichment services. In this context, Energoatom had already signed a contract with Urenco, a British-German-Dutch consortium, at the end of 2023. With the agreement announced by Orano, Ukraine continues to expand its partnerships to secure a stable and long-term supply for its nuclear power plants.

A significant contract for Orano

While Orano and Energoatom had previously collaborated, the newly signed contract represents a significant step forward in terms of volume and duration. Uranium enrichment is a critical stage in the fuel cycle, enabling the production of the material necessary for the operation of nuclear reactors. Ukraine, which operates four nuclear power plants, relies heavily on this source of energy for its electricity production.

Increased production capacity

In response to the growing demand from European and international electricity companies seeking to diversify their supply sources, Orano is investing in the expansion of its Georges Besse II enrichment plant, located in Tricastin, France. The project, with a budget of €1.7bn, aims to increase the plant’s production capacity by 30%.

Petro Kotin, the interim president of Energoatom, emphasised that this agreement would allow Ukraine to plan for a stable energy future, based on the operation of its nuclear infrastructure.

Maire S.p.A and Newcleo form strategic partnership to industrialise the development of 200 MW modular nuclear power plants, via a joint venture majority-owned by Nextchem.
A new European consortium launches the design of a small lead-cooled modular reactor, targeting global commercialisation by 2039, with a demonstration scheduled as early as 2035.
Confidential reports from the IAEA and multiple intelligence agencies confirm Iran's uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels, contradicting Tehran's official statements. EnergyNews.pro retraces the evolution of Iran's nuclear program since 2015, three years before the Trump administration's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.
Uranium spot price hits its highest level of 2025 following a significant fundraising announcement by a specialized Canadian investment fund, prompting vigorous trading and strong reactions in the international market.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced being close to an intergovernmental agreement with Washington for Westinghouse to build a 1,250-megawatt nuclear reactor at the Jaslovske Bohunice site.
EDF confirms two micro-cracks on reactor number 2 at Civaux, caused by corrosion and thermal fatigue, resulting in a minor delay in restart without threat to overall production.
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant remains immobilised by armed conflict, dependent on a single fragile power line and groundwater wells to cool its reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Russia declares itself ready to retrieve and transform Iran’s excess nuclear materials into fuel, a proposal aimed at easing tense nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The Moscow Arbitration Court postpones by nine months the trial initiated by Rosatom against Fortum and Outokumpu, seeking nearly three billion dollars following the controversial cancellation of a nuclear project in Finland.
The UK regulator has accepted to examine Newcleo’s advanced LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking a first for a modular lead-cooled technology in the country.
Framatome strengthens its control over the nuclear supply chain by acquiring a 40% stake in Selectarc, France’s sole producer of welding filler metals.
The UK government has selected Rolls-Royce SMR to lead the deployment of small modular reactors, aiming to secure 24 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050.
Orano USA has opened a new office in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to lead the development of a uranium enrichment facility, marking one of the largest industrial investments in the state’s history.
AtkinsRéalis and EDF signed a strategic agreement to integrate their expertise in nuclear engineering, equipment and waste management, while preserving each country’s technological sovereignty.
The British government officially commits £14.2 billion to develop two EPR nuclear reactors in eastern England, in strategic partnership with the French group EDF, with a final investment decision expected shortly.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that confidential documents were acquired by Iran, raising concerns about the country’s cooperation with the agency.
A new law extends the operational lifespan of nuclear reactors in Japan, enabling them to run past 60 years to meet rising energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Westinghouse plans to invest $75 billion in ten nuclear reactors in the United States, responding to a presidential order aimed at significantly accelerating the expansion of nuclear energy in the country by 2030.
The United States blocks export licenses for nuclear equipment to China, amplifying bilateral trade tensions already marked by strategic technology restrictions and possible retaliatory measures.
Russia requests IAEA intervention to resolve the deadlock involving American nuclear fuel at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a critical issue for the potential restart of the site currently under Russian control.