Nuclearelectrica and the Italian group Beltrame signed an MoU for collaboration in the development of SMR in Romania

By RBJ
Nuclearelectrica and the Italian group Beltrame signed an MoU for collaboration on the development of SMR in Romania, according to a company press release
SN Nuclearelectrica SA, the only nuclear producer in Romania and a strategic contributor to Romania’s energy security and decarbonization, announces the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RoPower Nuclear SA, the recently established project company for the implementation of small modular reactors (SMR), and Donalam SRL, part of AFV Beltrame Group, the European leader in steel production, at the IAEA Atoms for Climate pavilion within COP 27.
The objective of the Memorandum of Understanding is to explore cooperation and investment opportunities in support of the development of the first SMR project in Romania, which could have a great impact in the realization of green steel production in Romania. On the same occasion, the two companies joined the United Nations 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Compact, committing to respect the UN’s 24/7 principles in support of the UN’s goal of accelerating the electricity system, mitigating climate change and to ensure access to clean energy at affordable prices.
By joining the UN 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact, Nuclearelectrica and AFV Beltrame become members of a global community of organizations that collaborate to develop solutions that allow access to carbon-free energy 24/7.
According to the statement, the announcement comes at a crucial moment, in the context in which senior government political leaders from around the world are meeting at COP27 to discuss the urgency of accelerating the transition to clean energy.
The recent report published by the United Nations on the emissions gap in 20221 shows that current policies are not sufficient to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Nuclear energy is necessary to ensure an effective and sustainable decrease in emissions. In this context, Romania’s example regarding the plans to build the first green steel plant with the support of clean energy produced by SMR and photovoltaic panels can encourage even more similar steps and collaborations within the industry.
“Nuclearelectrica is committed to implementing the first small-sized modular reactor project in Europe, together with the Unit 1 refurbishment project and the Cernavodă Units 3&4 project, to the highest standards of nuclear safety and environmental sustainability. The expansion of nuclear capacity aims to support the energy security of Romania and the region, energy independence and the achievement of decarbonization goals. In this context, we are happy to announce a new step in our approach, a potential new partner in RoPower, Donalam SRL, part of the AFV Beltrame group, one of the major steel producers in Europe AFV Beltrame Group shares the same commitment to sustainability as we do and understands the role of nuclear power produced by SMR in achieving international climate change goals, while ensuring energy security with a clean, stable energy source, accessible and resilient”, stated Cosmin Ghiţă, CEO of Nuclearelectrica SA and President of the Board of Directors of RoPower Nuclear SA.
“We are fully dedicated to fulfilling our vision for a sustainable business and turning into reality our ambitious investment plans for our operations in Romania – the Călăraşi and Târgovişte plants, sustainability being a priority at Group level. Energy security has become the last weather is a topic of great relevance. Our plan to build, in the near future, the photovoltaic park in Târgovişte, as well as the partnership with RoPower, are two of the solutions to ensure our access to sustainable energy at affordable prices in the long term,” said Carlo Beltrame, CEO Romania&France and Business Development Manager, AFV Beltrame Group.
In Romania, SMRs will be implemented in complementarity with both high-capacity reactors and renewable sources, the SMR project in Romania also envisaging the addition of a solar production capacity within the same energy complex.
RoPower will develop a state-of-the-art power plant with a strong commitment to nuclear safety and environmental sustainability, which will be achieved both by replacing a former coal-fired plant with clean energy production and by partnering with companies that have past or intends to switch to sustainable production to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.