nucleareurope joins EU lawmakers visit of Almelo enrichment facility

On 29 January 2026, nucleareurope Communications and Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson participated in a European Energy Forum (EEF) organised site visit of the Urenco Almelo enrichment facility, alongside Members of the European Parliament, Members of the European Economic and Social Committee, EEF Associate members as well as Urenco representatives.

The visit provided the opportunity to discuss the role of European nuclear fuel cycle companies such as Urenco for energy independence, and to learn more about the uranium enrichment process.

Following welcoming remarks from Urenco Netherlands and EU Affairs Director Hidde Baars and Urenco Netherlands Head of Operations Sebastiaan Wolbers, EEF President and Member of the European Parliament Tsvetelina Penkova gave a short address before the visit kicked off the with a tour of the uranium enrichment plant and the facility’s capacity expansion project. Participants then visited the recycling centre and logistics department, before being shown around the isotopes facility by Urenco Head of Isotopes Linda Ashton.

The organisation of such site visits for EU lawmakers from various national and political backgrounds are essential to ensure informed policymaking on energy topics. Thanks to the strong industrial base of major fuel cycle and value chain companies based in Europe, the nuclear industry is a keystone of European energy sovereignty, and its actors must continue to be supported in their efforts to ramp up capacity.

Alongside MEP Penkova, the European Parliament was represented by MEP Ondřej Krutílek, MEP Jeannette Baljeu and MEP Matej Tonin. The EESC was represented by its Vice President for Budget Alena Mastantuono, TEN Section President Marcin Nowacki, and member Dumitru Fornea.