Romania’s civil nuclear industry is “facing historic opportunities”, and the strategic projects underway will generate well-paid jobs and bring substantial economic benefits to the local industry, said the Ministry of Energy, through Bogdan Termegan, ROMATOM Executive Director, at the ROMATOM 2025 General Assembly, held in Bucharest.
“We want to see the national supply chain develop and consolidate around these projects. It is essential that the added value remains in Romania”, emphasised the representative of the Ministry of Energy.
Drivers of the Romanian nuclear industry
At the centre of the discussions were the three main lines of investment: the modernisation of Unit 1 at Cernavodă, the construction of Units 3 and 4 and the development of the SMR (small modular reactors) project.
Representatives of the modernisation project explained that the extension of the life of Unit 1 by 30 years will be achieved “at only half the cost of a new reactor with the same characteristics”, contributing to Romania’s energy security and competitiveness.
For Units 3 and 4, Alexandru Mărciulescu, Deputy Director General of Energonuclear, pointed out the concrete steps already realised. “So far we have obtained a positive opinion from the European Commission, a comfort letter from CNCAN and an assessment from CANDU Energy confirming that the existing civil structures can be used for another 60 years after commissioning.”
In parallel, the project to develop the first small modular reactors in Romania will capitalise on the expertise and capabilities of local industry. “The Romanian industry will play a key role in the economic underpinning of the SMR project, including the site development and the realisation of all the necessary works on site,” explained Cezar Georgescu, Managing Director of RoPower Nuclear.
Flexible regulation and early collaboration
In her speech, Maria Oprișescu, Director of CNCAN, highlighted the importance of adapting the regulatory framework for new nuclear technologies and recommended companies to initiate early dialogue with the regulator. “What could help the licence holders would be, on the one hand, to contact us in advance and, on the other hand, to coordinate their activities with the licensees of nuclear installations.”
On the European level, Emanuel Brutin, Director General of Nucleareurope, presented the dynamics of the new EU initiatives in the nuclear field, in the context of the recognition of nuclear energy as a pillar of the energy transition.
“Nuclear energy is not only a key technology for the energy transition, but also an opportunity to strengthen Romania’s position as a reliable regional player, with multiple benefits: energy security, economic competitiveness and sustainable development,” the Energy Ministry also transmitted.
The event brought together 49 members of the Romanian Atomic Forum (ROMATOM), together with regulators, operators and suppliers in the nuclear sector, to discuss the status of ongoing projects and the industry’s prospects. The General Assembly ROMATOM 2025 also saw the election of the new Board of Directors of the association, headed by Automatica (President) and Walter Tosto (Vice-President), together with Nuclearelectrica, Industrial Montaj, Roseal, Candu Energy and Ansaldo Nucleare.
ROMATOM aims, in the coming period, to accelerate collaboration with authorities, academia and industry to prepare the necessary human resources and maximise the participation of Romanian companies in nuclear projects.