Bucharest, November 15, 2024 – RBJ – According to a press release from the Ministry of Energy from Bucharest, today the representatives of Nuclearelectrica and Energonuclear (the project company) signed the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contract, LNTP phase, for the development of the Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. The event takes place as part of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 29.
“It is the most important project for the Romanian energy sector in the last decades… The figures of the project are impressive. The two new reactors will mean an additional installed power of over 1400 MW at Cernavodă, an increase in annual energy production in Romania by over 11 million MWh, for at least 30 years of operation, over 19,000 well-paid jobs and avoiding a minimum of 10 million tons of CO2 emissions each year. Based on the estimated production, Units 3 and 4 will be able to cover the equivalent of today’s annual consumption for more than 7 million households in Romania. Once this investment is completed, in 7-8 years, Romania will provide over 30% of the national energy needs only through nuclear energy production. Moreover, our country will have a competitive energy price at the regional and European level, which will support the entire Romanian economy and reduce bills for all Romanians. Today’s historic step is also a symbolic one: Romania is able to carry forward strategic projects thought up 50 years ago and blocked by decades of hesitation, carelessness or lack of decision”, declared the Minister of Energy, Sebastian-Ioan Burduja.
The EPCM contract was concluded between EnergoNuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica, and the joint venture company FCSA formed by the companies Fluor B.V., Fluor Energy Transition Inc. Wilmington Bucharest Branch, AtkinsRéalis, Ansaldo Nucleare S.p.A., S&L Engineers, Ltd. and Sargent & Lundy Energie S.R.L. This contract is structured in two essential phases: LNTP (Limited Notice to Proceed) and FNTP (Final Notice to Proceed).
“Today marks a major milestone in the development and, finally, the completion of Romania’s strategic project regarding Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. The EPCM contract is the foundation of the project. We are honored to work on this contract and project with internationally recognized professional partners such as AtkinsRéalis, Fluor Corporation, Ansaldo Nucleare, Sargent and Lundy, as the success of a project derives from both expertise and robust technology. Units 3 and 4, CANDU technology, will provide Romania with energy security and clean energy in a safe and sustainable way. Once Units 3 and 4 are connected to the grid, 66% of Romania’s clean energy will be supplied by nuclear power, demonstrating once again the critical role of nuclear power in decarbonisation. I express my sincere appreciation to the EnergoNuclear team, the SNN team and our partners for their professionalism and joint efforts to build a solid project together”, said Cosmin Ghiță, General Manager, Nuclearelectrica.
During the LNTP phase, the EPCM contract provides design, development and project management, engineering, technical support and procurement support services, all aimed at ensuring an integrated quality assurance system so that Units 3 and 4 are ready for commercial operation. After the completion of this phase and the re-examination of the feasibility based on the updated technical and economic indicators, it will be possible to proceed to the final investment decision, which will allow the actual start of the construction in the field.
The expansion of CANDU Units 3 and 4 has a major impact on Romania’s economy and energy sustainability. Through this ambitious project, Romania will create approximately 19,000 indirect jobs and contribute 33% to the total national energy production through nuclear energy. Also, CO2 emissions will be reduced by 20 million tons annually once the four units are operational.
