Bucharest, June 2, 2025 – RBJ – The state-owned company Nuclearelectrica, which manages the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, in partnership with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), has begun work on the first detrituration facility in Europe and the third in the world.
“Romania marks today a historic moment in its energy journey: the pouring of the first concrete at the first detrituration facility in Europe, at the Cernavoda NPP. The project is being carried out by Nuclearelectrica, in partnership with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)”, announces the Ministry of Energy.
The Detritium Removal Facility (CTRF) at CNE Cernavodă is based on an innovative Romanian technology, developed by the National Institute for Research and Development for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies – ICSI Râmnicu Vâlcea and will be the third detritium removal facility in the world and the first in Europe, offering Romania the opportunity to become a European center for the production and export of tritium – the candidate fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors.
“Today we are making history at Cernavoda. Romania becomes the first country in Europe to build a detritium facility, using a technology developed here, at home, by researchers from ICSI Râmnicu Vâlcea – an elite institute, internationally recognized for clean, efficient and sustainable solutions, a true center of excellence, which I know very well from my mandate as Minister of Research. It is an achievement that demonstrates that Europe’s energy future can be built in Romania, through the minds and work of Romanians. The Cernavoda project is proof of our strategic vision: we combine cutting-edge Romanian research with solid international partnerships – such as the one with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power – to deliver solutions in the field of clean energy and environmental protection. Moreover, this project positions Romania as a European center for the production and export of tritium – the candidate fuel for nuclear fusion reactors, such as ITER. Tritium production adds to the integrated Romanian nuclear cycle, which we want to we recover: from uranium mines to heavy water production, nuclear fuel and nuclear power production using CANDU technology, in the four reactors at Cernavoda,” said Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.
Whang Joo-ho, President and CEO of KHNP, stressed that KHNP remains fully committed to working closely with SNN, as it has always done, to ensure the successful completion of this project.
“The concrete pouring ceremony for the Cernavoda detritimation facility, taking place today, marks an important moment, symbolizing the official start of construction works. Just as any structure is based on a solid and impeccable foundation, we sincerely hope that the concrete poured today, without cracks, will serve as a solid foundation on which the detritimation facility will be successfully built. KHNP remains fully committed to working closely with SNN, as it has always done, to ensure the successful completion of this project,” said Whang Joo-ho, President and CEO of KHNP.
Cosmin Ghiţă, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, believes that this is an important moment in Romania’s journey towards sustainable energy.
“Today marks an important moment in Romania’s journey towards sustainable energy – the pouring of the first concrete for the Cernavoda Detritiation Facility. This project represents not only a technological breakthrough, but also our commitment to a cleaner and safer environment. It is an innovative project, coordinated by teams of experts, a project that puts Romania, once again, on the global map of nuclear industry development. The collaboration between Nuclearelectrica and KHNP exemplifies the power of international partnerships in achieving common goals. Together, we are setting a precedent in terms of innovation and responsibility in the nuclear industry,” emphasized Cosmin Ghiţă, General Director of Nuclearelectrica.
The CTRF project at CNE Cernavoda aims to reduce the tritium concentration in the heavy water systems of the CANDU reactors at Units 1 and 2. This project is vital for reducing the impact of tritium on the environment and for increasing the operational efficiency of the nuclear power plant. This will allow the reuse of heavy water. The recovered tritium will also be safely stored and can be used for future fusion reactors.
The CTRF project will be completed in 50 months and will comply with the most advanced nuclear safety requirements. It benefits from significant financial support from the European Investment Bank, which is providing a loan of 145 million euros.
