Romanian nuclear utility Nuclearelectrica said the refurbishment project at unit 1 of the Cernavodă NPP is progressing according to schedule and that civil construction works have started on the infrastructure necessary its implementation.
The same day, a shareholder meeting at Nuclearelectrica approved the company’s contracting a loan worth €540m (632m) from a bank syndicate led by the American JP Morgan, to finance the preparatory phase of the project to refurbish unit 1.
“Nuclear energy is and will remain important for Romania’s energy supply and for our strategic security and autonomy. I am delighted that this process of refurbishing unit 1 is getting underway,” said Romanian President Nicușor Dan. “It is only the first step in a larger project that also includes the construction and operation of units 3 and 4. These investments in nuclear energy are essential for our country. With them, we will be able to deliver safe, CO2-free energy to the economy and citizens at reasonable and competitive prices.”
The Cernavodă site houses two 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 30% complete. The two 720 MWe operating units provide about 20% of Romania’s power.
Nuclearelectrica has also received authorisation from the Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN – Comisia pentru Controlul Activităților Nucleare) for construction of the Intermediate Radioactive Waste Repository. The Intermediate Radioactive Waste Repository (DIDR-U5 – Depozitul Intermediar de Deșeuri Radioactive – U5). DIDR-U5 is designed and will be built to handle, process and store the low and intermediate level radioactive waste resulting from the refurbishment of unit 1 and the long-term commercial operation of units 1&2 at Cernavodă.
DIDR-U5 will be built at the Cernavodă site within the premises of the abandoned unit 5 reactor building, which will be adapted for the development of the interim storage. It will comprise three buildings – reception, handling processing and intermediate storage of the low and intermediate level radioactive waste. This will include the storage, maintenance and decontamination of the retubing tools used for the unit 1 refurbishment.
“Obtaining the construction permit for DIDR – U5 related to the development of the critical infrastructure of the unit 1 Refurbishment Project, according to the schedule, represents an essential step in the development of the project, marking entry into the stage of civil construction works,” said Nuclearelectrica CEO Cosmin Ghiță. “We are developing a project of strategic importance for the Romanian Energy System, with a long-term impact, with maximum responsibility in compliance with nuclear safety, international standards and best practices.”
He added: “In the same way, the expansion of the interim storage for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, in compliance with CNCAN legislation and regulations, is an indispensable element to support long-term operation in full safety conditions. By refurbishing unit 1, we will ensure another 30 years of clean, stable and affordable energy production, strengthening Romania’s energy security and making a decisive contribution to achieving the decarbonisation goals.”
Realisation of the civil construction works is an integral part of the Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contract signed in December 2024 between Nuclearelectrica and the international consortium comprising Candu Energy (part of AtkinsRealis), Ansaldo Nucleare, Canadian Commercial Corporation and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP).
