Czech Republic secures uranium supply from Kazakhstan

Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer, has signed an agreement with ČEZ, a. s., a major energy company in the Czech Republic, to supply natural uranium concentrates over the next seven years. The official signing ceremony was held at the company’s headquarters in Prague.

Kazakhstan’s supplies will cover around one third of the needs of the Westinghouse-manufactured fuel assemblies used at the Temelín nuclear power plant in Czechia.

Commenting on the high-value deal, Kazatomprom described it as a big achievement that «marks a significant expansion of its presence in Europe and further strengthens its position in the global uranium market,» according to a statement on the company’s website.

ČEZ, a. s. positions itself as a leading energy company in Central Europe. It operates six nuclear reactors at the Dukovany and Temelín sites, which together provide approximately 36% of the country’s electricity needs. Combined with its non-nuclear energy sources, ČEZ accounts for a significant share of the Czech Republic’s overall electricity generation.

This is not the only instance of Kazatomprom’s role in European markets. On Feb. 17, the company announced it had signed its first agreement with Swiss companies Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG and Axpo Power AG to supply natural uranium concentrates to support the energy needs of Switzerland’s Beznau and Leibstadt nuclear power plants.