EDF Energy has confirmed that Sizewell B nuclear power station has been using uranium sourced from Russia, sparking criticism over the UK’s reliance on Russian nuclear fuel while simultaneously funding Ukraine’s defence against Moscow’s invasion.
The company said its current supply comes from MSZJSC, a Russian entity not subject to sanctions, under long-term contracts dating back to 2008 when the deal was signed by British Energy, years before the war in Ukraine. Sizewell B, which generates around 3% of the UK’s electricity, replaces a third of its fuel every 18 months with recycled enriched uranium from this source.
Critics, including nuclear policy consultant Dr David Lowry, argue that the supply chain ultimately begins with Rosatom, the Russian state-owned nuclear corporation sanctioned by the UK in February 2023. He says Rosatom sends the uranium through its subsidiary TVEL to MSZJSC, before it is processed at a Framatome facility in Lingen, Germany, and supplied to Sizewell B.
“It is sheer hypocrisy for energy ministers to say we need new nuclear to end dependence on Russian energy when our biggest and newest nuclear plant is fully fuelled by Putin’s uranium,” Dr Lowry said. “We’re giving arms to Ukraine and giving Russia money for fuel, undermining our own efforts.”
EDF maintains it is in full compliance with all EU, UK, and French sanctions and has already removed Russian involvement from the fuel supply chain for all UK nuclear plants except Sizewell B. The company says it aims to fully eliminate Russian input at Sizewell B by 2028 and has committed that Russian fuel will not be used at the planned Sizewell C plant.
Documents from an October 15, 2024, stakeholder meeting, seen by this paper, confirm that Russian-supplied uranium has been in use at the site, a fact acknowledged by station director Robert Gunn to local councillors.
EDF said it continues to work with UK companies and the government to build domestic nuclear fuel capabilities central to future UK and European energy security.
