Cosmin Ghiță has resigned as CEO of Romanian nuclear power utility Nuclearelectrica, with the Energy Ministry saying the decision follows “a new professional opportunity.” Nuclearelectrica has not yet announced the date when his departure will take effect.
Ghiță has led Nuclearelectrica since September 2017, when he was initially appointed for a provisional four-month term. He later received a four-year mandate from February 2019. His current mandate began in February 2023 and was due to expire in February 2027.
The announcement came during what Ziarul Financiar described as the most difficult operational period in the recent history of the Cernavodă plant. Unit 1 was disconnected from the national power grid in a controlled shutdown on 28 July because of the low level of the Danube, followed by unit 2 on 13 August. It is the first time that both reactors have been taken offline simultaneously for hydrological reasons.
Nuclearelectrica said the two units are being maintained in a safe shutdown state and that there are no operational risks, while their reconnection to the grid depends on changes in the flow and level of the Danube. Nuclearelectrica operates the two 700 MWe Candu units at Cernavodă, which normally account for around 20% of Romania’s electricity production.
Nuclearelectrica said it “would like to thank Mr Cosmin Ghita for his contribution to the company’s development during his terms of office as Chief Executive Officer”. The Ministry of Energy, the majority shareholder of Nuclearelectrica, said it “took note” of Ghiță’s decision.
“The resignation represents a unilateral act of will, which the Ministry of Energy, as the majority shareholder and tutelary public authority, respects. According to the information communicated to the Ministry, Mr. Cosmin Ghiță’s decision comes in the context of a new professional opportunity,” the Ministry of Energy noted.
The notice period is to be arranged according to the provisions of the mandate contract and the decision of the board of directors. The Ministry added: “The activity of Nuclearelectrica and the Cernavodă NPP continues to be carried out under normal conditions, ensuring the operational continuity of the company. The Ministry of Energy is closely following the evolution of the situation and, as the majority shareholder, will ensure all the steps it is responsible for maintaining stability and continuity at the company level.”
Government spokesperson Ioana Dogioiu said that “resignation is a unilateral act of will” and that Ghita’s contract includes a 90-day notice period, which may be shortened by mutual agreement. After that, a selection procedure for a new CEO will take place.
