Overview
- Reports from multiple outlets say a new €4 billion line appeared in the 2027 federal budget draft on Thursday and is intended to buy the one‑third Urenco stake now held by RWE and E.on.
- Urenco publicly disclosed on June 29 that the UK formally asked the company to support rebuilding a reactor‑fuel cycle for defence, a request that would expand Urenco’s work beyond civilian nuclear fuel.
- Both the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Finance Ministry have declined to comment on the reports, saying they do not discuss ongoing confidential processes.
- Critics including Die Linke and local environmental groups warn the planned purchase would contribute to a ‘militarization’ of Urenco, while government sources previously pointed to compliance with the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty and the Almelo arrangements.
- Analysts say a state share would secure German influence in a sensitive supply chain, reflect geostrategic concerns about allied fuel reliability, and could prompt approval talks with the UK and the Netherlands before any sale is completed.