Eastern Europe is increasing investments in nuclear energy, in an effort to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources. Nine countries in the region plan to build up to 18 new reactors over the next two decades. The cost of the projects is estimated at at least 185 billion euros ($207 billion), Bloomberg reports.
One of the main participants in the new nuclear boom was the American Westinghouse. The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria agreed with it on the supply of nuclear fuel, Poland chose the company to build the first nuclear power plant, and Bulgaria cooperates with it in the project of two AP1000 reactors. Slovakia and Slovenia, according to government agency sources, are also considering the possibility of warrants. The Czech Republic chose the South Korean KHNP, Romania entered into agreements with American Fluor and Canadian Kendo Energy, and Hungary is reviewing an existing contract with Rosatom.
Despite the appeal of Eastern European countries to Western suppliers and efforts to diversify, Europe remains dependent on Russian uranium supplies, Bloomberg notes. The European Union has not introduced restrictions on the import of nuclear fuel from Russia.