Press Release

 SN Nuclearelectrica SA has started today the civil construction works for the Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 Refurbishment  Project

 Bucharest, September 3, 2025

Nuclearelectrica announces that the Unit 1 Refurbishment Project is progressing significantly according to schedule – today, September 3, 2025, civil construction works have started on the infrastructure necessary for the implementation of the Unit 1 Refurbishment Project at  Cernavodă NPP.

The ceremony of inauguration of the civil works for the implementation of the Unit 1 Refurbishment Project took place in the presence of the President of Romania, Mr. Nicușor Dan, Mrs. Diana-Anda Buzoianu, Minister of Environment, Water and Forests, Mrs. Oana Toiu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bogdan-Gruia Ivan, Minister of Energy, Mr. Cantemir Ciurea, President of the National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities, the Ambassadors of Canada, the Republic of Korea, Italy, the Presidents and General Managers of the partner companies in the Unit 1 Refurbishment Project, AtkinsRealis, CANDU International, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Ansaldo Nucleare, Laurentis Energy Partners, Laurentis Energy Partners, Canadian Commercial Corporation and the General Director of Nuclearelectrica, Mr. Cosmin Ghiță.

“Nuclear energy is and will remain important for Romania’s energy supply and for our strategic security and autonomy. I am delighted that this process of refurbishing Unit 1 is getting underway. It is only the first step in a larger project that also includes the construction and operation of Units 3 and 4. These investments in nuclear energy are essential for our country. With them, we will be able to deliver safe, CO2-free energy to the economy and citizens at reasonable and competitive prices. I would like to thank everyone involved, especially the employees at Cernavodă, who should be proud of their contribution.” – President of Romania, Nicușor Dan. 

Nuclearelectrica has received from the Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN) the Construction Authorization for the Intermediate Radioactive Waste Repository. The Intermediate Radioactive Waste Repository (DIDR-U5) is designed and will be built to handle, process and intermediately store the low and intermediate level radioactive waste resulting from the refurbishment of Unit 1 and the long-term commercial operation of Units 1 and 2 of Cernavodă NPP.

DIDR-U5 will be built on the site of  Cernavodă NPP, inside the controlled area, in the premises of the Reactor Building of Unit 5 Cernavodă NPP, which will be adapted to the needs of the development of DIDR-U5, and consists of 3 buildings with functions of reception, handling processing and intermediate storage of the low and intermediate level radioactive waste resulting from the Unit 1 refurbishment, the long term operation of Units 1 and 2, including the storage, maintenance and decontamination of the set of retubing tools used for the Unit 1 refurbishment.

“Obtaining the construction permit for the Intermediate Radioactive Waste Repository (DIDR- U5) related to the development of the critical infrastructure of the Unit 1 Refurbishment Project, according to the schedule of this project, represents an essential step in the development of the project, marking the entry into the stage of civil construction works. We are developing a project of strategic importance for the Romanian Energy System, with a long-term impact, with maximum responsibility in compliance with nuclear safety, international standards and best practices. In the same way, the expansion of the intermediate storage capacity for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, in compliance with CNCAN legislation and regulations, is an indispensable element to support long-term operation in full safety conditions. By refurbishing Unit 1, we will ensure another 30 years of clean, stable and affordable energy production, strengthening Romania’s energy security and making a decisive contribution to achieving the decarbonization goals.”- Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica.

“We thank the President of Romania, Mr. Nicușor Dan, the Romanian State authorities and our partners for their presence and support in the development of the Romanian nuclear industry to position Romania as a promoter of energy security and sustainability in the region through robust investment projects.” – Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica.

The realization of the civil construction works is an integral part of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract signed between Nuclearelectrica and the international consortium formed by Candu Energy Inc. a company of the AtkinsRealis Group, Ansaldo Nucleare, Canadian Commercial Corporation and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co, on December 19, 2024.

The organization and conduct of activities are carried out in compliance with the highest industry standards and practices, ensuring nuclear and radiological safety for the protection of personnel, communities and the environment.

Since 1996 to date, the operation of Unit 1 has resulted in the avoidance of 140 million tons of CO2 in the atmosphere, safely delivered more than 145 million MWh at a capacity factor of more than 90%.

Unit 1 has also been the reference model for Unit 2 and together they have consistently ranked Romania first in the world by capacity factor.

Today, Romania continues to rank first internationally, with an average capacity factor of over 92% since the commissioning of Units 1 and 2, reconfirming Romania’s performance in the nuclear industry at the level of excellence.