Nuclear fuel alliance formed by UK, US, Canada, Japan and France
The agreement aims to displace Russia from the international nuclear energy market
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The UK, US, Canada, Japan and France have formed an alliance to develop shared supply chains for nuclear fuel.
The announcement, made at G7 talks in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo, is aimed at pushing Russia out of the international nuclear energy market, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said.
The five countries will use their civil nuclear power sectors to undermine Russia’s grip on supply chains, cutting off another means for President Vladimir Putin to fund his invasion of Ukraine.
UK Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK has been at the very heart of global efforts to support Ukraine, defeat Putin and ensure neither him nor anyone like him can ever think they can hold the world to ransom over their energy again.
“This is the next vital step, uniting with other countries to show Putin that Russia isn’t welcome anymore, and in shoring up our global energy security by using a reliable international supply of nuclear fuel from safe, secure sources.”
The agreement will also strengthen the UK’s nuclear energy sector, helping it on the path to energy independency and reducing electricity bills, the Energy Department said.
The fuel is used to operate nuclear power stations which provide around 15 per cent of the UK’s electricity supply, with an aim for it to reach 25 per cent by 2050.
Ministers from the Group of Seven rich nations were finishing two days of meetings on climate, energy and environmental policy on Sunday.
They set new collective targets for the use of offshore wind and solar energy and agreed to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels, particularly coal.