SN Nuclearelectrica (SNN) and Canadian Nuclear Partners (CNPSA) signed a long-term framework agreement for the provision of Project Management Organization (PMO) services for the preparation and implementation of the modernization project of Unit 1 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant.
This framework agreement, signed today, has an approximate value of 240 million euros (360 million Canadian dollars) and represents a key step in completing the re-engineering of Unit 1 at CNE Cernavoda in accordance with the established development stages. Under the agreement, CNPSA, a subsidiary of Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis), will support SNN by providing project management services, technical assistance, consulting services, professional training specific to the retrofitting of the CANDU power plant and organizing and coordinating the commissioning of the Unit 1, until its return to commercial exploitation.
The framework agreement builds on an earlier agreement signed between SNN and Laurentis, through CNPSA, in 2021 to develop a program to conserve reactor water systems during the retrofit.
The Ministers of Ontario, Todd Smith and Stephen Lecce, the Romanian Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, and the Canadian Ambassador to Romania, Gavin Buchan, along with representatives of CNPSA, SNN, Laurentis and Ontario Power Generation, were present at the signing ceremony on June 11 from Bucharest.
“The world is watching as Ontario continues to deliver CANDU’s multi-billion dollar retrofit projects on time and on budget,” said Ontario Minister Todd Smith. “We stand ready to support our allies, leveraging all this experience and expertise to support the refurbishment of Unit 1 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, so that it can continue to provide reliable and clean energy for future generations and further ensure energy security. ”
“Given the growing geopolitical volatility, it’s clear that countries around the world are looking for democratic and stable energy partners that can provide clean, reliable and affordable energy – and Ontario is once again answering that call,” said the Minister of Energy and Electrification of Ontario, Stephen Lecce. “We are proud to partner with Romania to deliver this major retrofit that will support energy security in Europe, while creating new economic opportunities for workers in both countries.”
“We look forward to working with CNPSA to advance the refurbishment of Unit 1 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The highly professional and robust project management, with combined Canadian and Romanian experience, will allow Romania to benefit from clean, safe and reliable energy for another 30 years after 2029,” said Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica. “Romania and Canada has been collaborating for more than 50 years in the nuclear industry and continues to do so by promoting strategic projects to advance energy security, decarbonization and economic development.”
“We are proud to partner with SNN to provide the state-of-the-art PMO services needed to successfully deliver this large-scale project, which will ensure a long-term supply of clean, reliable and affordable electricity for Romania’s population and industries,” said Jason Van Wart, CEO of CNPSA. “We are pleased to leverage our decades of experience with Canadian-made CANDU technology to help deliver the Unit 1 retrofit project on time and on budget, and to demonstrate how Canadian nuclear experts can support clean energy projects from other parts of the world.”