Romanian nuclear utility SN Nuclearelectrica (SNN) has launched a tender worth RON3.1m ($712,000) for a feasibility study to double the production capacity of Candu-6 type nuclear fuel bundles at the FCN Pitești nuclear fuel plant in Mioveni, which supplies the Cernavodă NPP.
The Cernavodă site currently houses two 720 MWe Candu 6 pressurised heavy water reactors (units 1&2) on a site originally constructed for five. Unit 1 went into commercial operation in 1996 and unit 2 in 2007. Construction of three more units began but was stopped in 1990 when unit 3 was 52% complete and unit 4 was 30% complete. Work is now underway to complete these units.
FCN Pitești (Fabrica de Combustibil Nuclear) is a specialised production branch of Nuclearelectrica (SNN) located in Mioveni, near Pitești. The facility in Mioveni, Argeș County, is located adjacent to the Institute for Nuclear Research (ICN Pitești), which provides ongoing technical support and research for Romania’s nuclear programme. It is the only certified manufacturer of Candu 6 nuclear fuel bundles in Europe and the only one outside of Canada.
It was qualified as a permanent supplier by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in 1995. The facility operates under strict international nuclear safeguards and continuous safety monitoring. It presently produces enough fuel to provide 100% of the requirements for Cernavodă 1&2.
Nuclearelectrica is now seeking to double the plant’s annual capacity from 12,000 to 24,000 fuel assemblies. The plant previously doubled its capacity between 2004 and 2006 to accommodate unit 2 and underwent further manufacturing line modernisation between 2009 and 2014. The expansion project is strictly aligned with the commissioning schedule for the new reactors, currently estimated for 2031 and 2032.
Nuclearelectrica launched this tender to determine the cost-effectiveness and technical requirements for increasing production from 12,000 to 24,000 fuel assemblies a year. The study is expected to take roughly 12 to 16 months. Interested companies must prove an average global turnover of at least €700,000 over the last three years (2023–2025). The current deadline for participation requests or bids is 27 May.
The feasibility study will analyse multiple scenarios, including expanding production on an additional site adjacent to the current Mioveni facility. Nuclearelectrica is also procuring uranium dioxide through a framework contract with qualified suppliers such as Cameco (Canada) to ensure a steady supply for the increased production lines. Future procurement may focus on high-precision manufacturing equipment to produce the 1,435 components required for each new Candu-6 fuel bundle.
