Romatom collaborates with the Americans from the Nuclear Energy Institute

By Edwig Ban
The Romanian Atomic Forum (Romatom) initialed, on Wednesday, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), based in the United States of America, in order to collaborate in the civil applications of nuclear energy, the Romanian organization informs in a press release.
“This Memorandum of Understanding together with the recent Intergovernmental Agreement between the United States and Romania demonstrates the importance of international cooperation to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy security. The US nuclear field has an unparalleled history of industrial partnerships and wants to be Romania’s partner.” given that Romania is revitalizing its nuclear energy infrastructure. Together with Romatom, NEI wants to support this collaboration to promote nuclear energy as a clean energy solution and help Romania achieve its climate and energy security goals, “said Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute.
According to official data, at European level, nuclear energy currently provides almost 50% of energy production with low CO2 emissions and 26% of total energy production, providing 1.1 million jobs and achieving an annual turnover of 102 billion euros.
In Romania, nuclear energy provides 18% of domestic production and 33% of clean energy produced in Romania. The sector creates 11,000 jobs in the horizontal industry, a number that could increase to 19,000 jobs in the context of the development of new nuclear projects, say Romatom representatives.
“Romania is strongly involved in the development of its civilian nuclear program, in order to increase energy security and reduce CO2 emissions in line with the EU 2050 objectives. In accordance with Romania’s Energy Strategy and the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate Change, nuclear energy plays an essential role in all scenarios, capitalizing on the operational experience of Cernavoda NPP Units 1 and 2. The memorandum signed today with our American partners strengthens the capabilities of the nuclear field on both sides and creates opportunities for successful implementation of strategic projects in Romania, such as Units 3 and 4 Cernavoda NPP, refurbishment of Unit 1 and in the future, other projects such as small modular reactors “, said Teodor Chirica, honorary president of Romatom.
According to the quoted communiqué, the purpose of the Memorandum is to establish a cooperative relationship between the two industries, in conditions of nuclear safety, in compliance with the laws and regulations of the two states, as well as the international commitments assumed by them.
The document also supports the creation of a framework for cooperation between the Romanian and US nuclear industries, with the aim of promoting “peaceful use of nuclear energy through efficient operations and effective policies, as well as facilitating the development of trade and investment in the nuclear energy sector”.
“The reliability and capability of the horizontal nuclear industry are essential in the successful implementation of new projects, with multiple social and economic benefits for Romania. Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda NPP will provide Romania with clean, accessible, reliable energy, especially after decommissioning. obsolete conventional capacities, in line with the EU’s strategy for reducing emissions and the transition to a green economy, will create jobs and secure Romania’s energy infrastructure for industrial and social development.Retechnology of Unit 1 will lead to another 30 years of production “As we have seen, during the COVID pandemic, the resilience and sustainability of energy systems play a vital role in ensuring the continuity of economic activity and in the perspective of relaunching industrial activity after this crisis.” said Cosmin Ghita, CEO of Nuclearelectrica.
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) is the organization responsible for establishing a unified industrial policy on issues affecting the nuclear energy industry, including regulatory issues of generic operational and technical issues. NEI members include entities authorized to operate commercial nuclear power plants in the United States, nuclear power plant designers, large engineering firms, fuel cycle facilities, licensed entities for nuclear materials, and other organizations and entities involved in the nuclear industry.