Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Germany plans to buy a one-third stake in Urenco
Germany plans to buy a one-third stake in Urenco, the British-based company that enriches uranium, including at a site in Germany.
Urenco is currently divided into thirds: one each for the British and Dutch governments, and one shared by German energy companies RWE and Eon.
RWE and Eon want to sell their share because nuclear power no longer fits their business strategy.
Another possible reason is that Urenco is becoming more active in military nuclear work, mainly at Britain's request, though the companies have not commented.
A draft 2027 budget includes €4 billion for buying and holding stakes in energy companies, and the money is intended for the Urenco purchase.
The planned deal would transfer the German companies' third to the federal government, but no further steps or timetable are given.
Germany plans to acquire a one-third stake in uranium enrichment company Urenco, according to reports by Handelsblatt and Welt.
The stake is currently shared by German energy companies RWE and Eon, which reportedly want to sell it.
A draft of Germany’s 2027 budget includes €4 billion for acquiring and holding shares in energy companies.
The reports say Urenco could become more involved in military nuclear work after a request from the United Kingdom.
The German finance and economy ministries declined to comment on the reported deal.
- Who
- The German federal government plans to buy the stake from RWE and Eon.
- What
- It plans to acquire one-third of Urenco.
- When
- The plan was reported on November 12, 2026. The draft 2027 budget item appeared on Thursday.
- Where
- Urenco operates in several countries and enriches uranium in Germany.
- Why
- RWE and Eon reportedly want to sell because nuclear power no longer fits their strategy. The government may value Urenco’s strategic importance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The United Kingdom asked Urenco to develop a fuel cycle for reactor fuel for defence purposes.
A €4 billion item for acquiring and holding shares in energy companies appeared in the draft 2027 federal budget.
Handelsblatt and Bild reported that the government planned to acquire one-third of Urenco.
- Planned stake
- One-third of Urenco
- Budget provision
- €4 billion
- Budget year
- 2027
- Current German owners
- RWE and Eon share one-third of Urenco
- Other shareholders
- The United Kingdom and the Netherlands each hold one-third of Urenco
2 sources
What people are saying
As usual, we do not comment on ongoing confidential matters, where applicable.