Germany's Lower Saxony approves Russian-tech nuclear fuel plant expansion, sparking security row

Published Jul 27, 05:30 AM UTC

Authorities in Lower Saxony, Germany, have approved the expansion of the Advanced Nuclear Fuels (ANF) plant in Lingen, allowing production of fuel assemblies for VVER reactors under Russian licenses. The project, operated by a subsidiary of French company Framatome, relies on technology and intellectual property from TVEL, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned Rosatom. The decision has sparked political controversy and national security concerns, including risks of espionage and sabotage by Moscow. Despite criticism from the German Federal Environment Ministry, Lower Saxony officials stated that without EU sanctions against the nuclear sector, there are no legal grounds to block the project under German nuclear law. Proponents argue the move strengthens European industrial sovereignty and reduces direct fuel imports from Russia, while critics see it as a backdoor for Russian influence in Europe's energy sector.