Overview
- A new €4 billion line appeared in the federal 2027 budget on Thursday as money for buying and holding stakes in energy firms and reporters link it to a planned purchase of Urenco shares.
- Media reports say the funds are intended to buy the one‑third of Urenco now held jointly by German utilities RWE and E.on, though no transaction has been confirmed by ministers.
- Urenco told markets on June 29 that the UK formally asked it to support rebuilding a reactor fuel cycle for defence uses, a request linked in reporting to supplying fuel for British submarines.
- Finance and Economics ministry spokespeople declined to comment on what they described as possibly confidential matters and opposition politicians plus local environmental groups have warned the move risks militarising a formerly civil supply chain.
- Analysts and insiders say RWE and E.on may be willing sellers after Germany’s nuclear exit and a state stake would shift geopolitical control over enrichment capacity while raising legal and non‑proliferation questions that could prompt parliamentary review.