The Czech Republic has taken a step towards diversifying its nuclear fuel sources by signing a long-term agreement with Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom to supply natural uranium concentrate for its nuclear power plants. The contract, signed with Czech nuclear power plant operator ČEZ as, provides for up to a third of the country's uranium needs over the next seven years, Reuters reported, citing an official statement from the Kazakh side. Previously, uranium supplies to the Czech Republic were carried out by the Russian company TVEL, part of the state corporation Rosatom.

The new agreement will allow Czech nuclear power plants, in particular the Temelin plant, to use uranium concentrate to produce fuel assemblies developed by the American company Westinghouse. This step is seen as part of the Czech Republic's strategy to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources and strengthen energy security. Kazatomprom emphasized that cooperation with ČEZ will strengthen the position of nuclear energy in the Czech Republic, which plays a key role in providing the country with a stable and environmentally friendly source of electricity.

Kazakhstan, the world's largest uranium producer, is a leader in the global nuclear fuel market. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Kazatomprom accounted for about 2024% of global uranium production in 40. The contract with the Czech Republic strengthens economic ties between Prague and Astana, and confirms Kazakhstan's reputation as a reliable supplier of strategic raw materials.

The Czech Republic's switch to Kazakh uranium is the latest step in the European countries' reorientation to alternative sources of nuclear fuel. Since early 2022, following a sharp deterioration in relations with Russia, a number of EU countries, including the Czech Republic, Finland, and Slovakia, have begun actively seeking a replacement for Rosatom supplies. According to Bloomberg, in 2024, the Czech Republic accelerated negotiations with international suppliers in order to completely abandon Russian uranium by 2027. The contract with Kazatomprom was an important milestone in this strategy, given that the Temelin and Dukovany NPPs provide about 35% of the country's electricity.

Analysts note that the choice in favor of Kazakh uranium is due not only to political factors, but also to economic advantages. Kazatomprom offers competitive prices and flexible supply terms, which makes it an attractive partner for European NPP operators. In addition, the company is actively investing in the modernization of production and the introduction of environmentally friendly mining technologies, which is in line with the EU's long-term sustainable development goals.

However, the transition to new fuel sources is associated with certain challenges. As reported by Euractiv, replacing Russian fuel assemblies with Westinghouse products requires the adaptation of equipment at Czech nuclear power plants, which may take several years. In this regard, the contract with Kazatomprom is considered an interim step that will ensure the uninterrupted operation of the plants during the transition period. Experts emphasize that the Czech Republic seeks to minimize the risks associated with changing suppliers, while maintaining the stability of the energy system.