August 06, 2021
Romania and Canada have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of nuclear energy to enable the completion, renovation and possible expansion of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday in Bucharest follows similar agreements with the US and France.
The Romanian Minister for Natural Resources Virgin Popescu and the Canadian Ambassador to Romania, Annick Goulet, shake hands after the MoU has been signed (Image: Romanian Ministry of Energy)
“I am pleased that in our project of modernization and the construction of new nuclear reactors, in addition to the partners from the USA and France, we also have Canadian partners with whom we have had a very good and long-term cooperation in this area,” said the Romanian Minister for Natural Resources Virgin Popescu. He signed the MoU with Canadian Ambassador to Romania, Annick Goulet, representing Minister for Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan. Goulet said: “Nuclear cooperation has been a pillar of the 55-year relationship between Canada and Romania. “
Romania has long wanted to complete two additional Candu units at the Cernavoda plant and is also planning to overhaul the two Candus in operation there for a longer service life. Since January 2020 it has been assembling an international team to complete the work, and the text of the MoU with Canada specifically provides for multilateral discussions between several governments that will jointly carry out the work at Cernavoda.
The Romanian Prime Minister Florin Cîțu attended the signing. “The investments are vital,” he said, “and I am pleased that the Canadian partners are joining the American partners in developing the nuclear field in our country.” Romania signed cooperation agreements with the USA and France in October 2020.
“I wanted to attend this event to show that I support the development of nuclear energy projects in Cernavoda and in the civilian nuclear energy sector in Romania,” added Cîțu.
The MoU prioritized Candu’s work, but included passages on several other areas, including: integration of countries’ nuclear supply chains; Strengthening Romania’s nuclear supply chain; Developing a highly skilled, mobile and adaptable workforce; Making Medical Isotopes Using Candu Technology; Hydrogen production; and discussion of cooperation on small modular reactors.
Cernavoda is Romania’s only nuclear power plant. It has two ready-to-use Candu-6 units that provide up to 20% of the country’s electricity. In addition to completing Units 3 and 4, Nuclearelectrica is working with Candu Energy, part of Canada’s SNL-Lavalin Group, to extend Unit 1’s operating life to 2026 when it undergoes a full renovation. Similar work has been completed or is underway at several Canadian Candu units.
Researched and written by World Nuclear News
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