Canada to Support Development of Nuclearelectrica’s Projects
On September 19th, in Ottawa, Sebastian Burduja, the Romanian Minister of Energy, and Jonathan Wilkinson, the Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, made the announcement according to which Canada can support with up to 3 billion Canadian dollars the financing of the development of nuclear projects by the Romanian National Company Nuclearelectrica, the operator of the Nuclear Plant in Cernavoda, and respectively Energonuclear, its subsidiary that develops the project.
Romania will build two new CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) nuclear reactors at Cernavoda (units 3 and 4). They will make a significant contribution to achieving the goals regarding the energy security of Romania and Europe, bringing an impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the development of the two nuclear units will create significant economic opportunities, for both Romania and Canada.
The construction of the two additional CANDU reactors will add 1,400 megawatts to the Romanian energy system, building significant export potential to neighbouring countries currently dependent on energy resources from Russia. The new reactors will also enable Romania to avoid approximately 8 million tons of carbon emissions annually and make a further step towards achieving its goal of phasing out coal from power generation by 2032. The project is essential for strengthening Romania’s energy security, especially in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and will enhance Romania’s potential to become an Eastern European energy hub, providing consumers in Romania and neighbouring countries with safe, clean, zero-greenhouse emissions energy, at a fair price.
“The partnership between our countries in the civil nuclear field dates back to the ‘70s, when Romania made a historic and wise decision to become the only country in the former communist bloc that was going to develop a nuclear program based on Western technology, as well as the only European country that chose to use CANDU technology. As the geopolitical context shows today, this was the best decision Romania could have made at that time. Over time, the cooperation between our states has become stronger and stronger. I am proud to reaffirm today our strong commitment to a prosperous and long-term cooperation between our countries in the nuclear field. I also underline Romania’s full support for the development of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, with two new units using CANDU technology, and our commitment to treat this national security project with the highest priority. We are grateful for all the support received through the 3 billion Canadian dollars financing, a recognition of the exceptional bilateral relationship and the strategic importance of this investment, which is supported at all levels of the Romanian State,” Sebastian Burduja, Romanian Minister of Energy, stated.
“Canada is proud of the role it played in the construction and financing of Units 1 and 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, which now provide approximately 21% of Romania’s electricity. The building of the new units 3 and 4 is an opportunity for Canada to leverage its strong nuclear expertise and work with our key allies to help deliver a secure, zero-emission energy solution with Canadian technology to a European ally,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, added.
Canada and Romania are taking active steps to decarbonize their energy systems and are both committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Nuclear power has an important role to play in achieving this goal.
