In 2024, Russia remained the largest supplier of nuclear fuel to American nuclear power plants, despite the entry into force of a law prohibiting the import of enriched uranium of Russian origin. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing the U.S. Department of Energy.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration indicated in one of its recent reports that last year Russia supplied the U.S. with 20% of the enriched uranium of the total amount of nuclear fuel used in American reactors. In 2023, this figure was at 27%.
The U.S. Department of Energy is authorized to issue permits for the import of enriched uranium from Russia if there are no alternative suppliers. Among the companies that have received permission are Constellation Energy Corp. and Centrus Energy Corp.
The agency noted that the U.S. Department of Energy presented data on the import of Russian nuclear fuel against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's calls for the EU to reduce its dependence on Russian oil and LNG.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a decree in May 2024 prohibiting the import of nuclear fuel of Russian origin. The document provides for a number of concessions, including in the event of purchases when it comes to national security issues.
Where is nuclear fuel produced in Russia?
Rosatom is among the top 5 companies in the production of nuclear fuel. The Fuel Division (management company — JSC "TVEL") is engaged in the manufacture of fuel assemblies (FAs) and components for them.
The division has 2 plants: JSC "Machine-Building Plant", which is located in Elektrostal in the Moscow region, and OJSC "Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant". Uranium pellets, fuel rods, and the FAs themselves are produced here. Metal for FAs is produced by JSC "Chepetsky Mechanical Plant".
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