Romania Strengthens Collaboration with Canada on Civil Nuclear Energy
On August 5, Energy Minister Virgil and H.E. Annick Goulet, Canada’s Ambassador to Romania, on behalf of Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, signed the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the Romanian Ministry of Energy and the Canadian Natural Resources Department on strengthening collaboration in the field of Civil Nuclear Energy. The Memorandum was signed in the presence of Romanian Prime Minister Florin Citu.
The signed Memorandum strengthens cooperation between Canada and Romania in the field of nuclear energy, as the Canadian industry has an exceptional experience in CANDU projects and has already successfully completed renovation works and new projects for the construction of CANDU units. At the same time, given the experience in CANDU projects, the Canadian partners will get involved in the nuclear energy projects in Cernavoda and those in the sector of civil nuclear energy in Romania.
At the same time, collaboration will be consolidated between the relevant companies for fulfilling the growing demand for very qualified, mobile, and adaptable labour force, in line with the current and future needs in the energy sector and reduction of climate change. These can include academic institutions, producers, operators, and other organizations in the industry.
“I am glad that in our project of modernization and construction of new nuclear reactors, in addition to our partners in the US and France, we are joined by the Canadian partners, with whom we have a very good and long collaboration in this field. By signing this memorandum, we express our common interest in further strengthening and development of cooperation in the nuclear energy projects. And not only that: we will try to collaborate to implement new technologies, which are the future of green energy. I want to thank the Canadian partners, H.E. Annick Goulet, Canada’s Ambassador to Romania, and Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Mineral Resources, for their support and good collaboration. At the same time, the presence of Prime Minister Florin Citu in this event proves how important this project is for both states,” said Energy Minister Virgil Popescu.
“The Memorandum signed today confirms the excellent bilateral relations that our country has with Canada. I insisted to be present in this event to show my support for the development of nuclear energy projects in Cernavoda and those in the sector of civil nuclear energy in Romania. Investments are vital and I am glad that the Canadian partners join the US partners to develop the nuclear industry in our country,” said Prime Minister Florin Citu.
“Nuclear cooperation was a pillar of the 55-year-old relationship between Canada and Romania. I am proud that today we renewed our bilateral commitment by signing this Memorandum of Understanding and I am eager to strengthen our exchanges in all areas, from security to trade,” said H.E. Annick Goulet, Canada’s Ambassador to Romania.
ROMATOM supports decarbonization in line with the European targets
In the context of the official working visit of the US Department of Energy to Romania, member companies of the Romanian Atomic Forum (ROMATOM) and the Romanian Association for Pressure Equipment (ARPE) met on August 3, 2021, with companies from the United States and Canada specialized in the nuclear field.
The purpose of the official visit is to continuate and strengthen ties with the nuclear industry and decision-makers in Romania, within the Intergovernmental Agreement concluded in Washington DC in October 2020, which was recently ratified by the Romanian Government. The Cooperation Agreement includes the development of Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda NPP, the Project of refurbishment of Unit 1 and other potential civil nuclear projects.
30 companies from Romania specializing in services, works and equipment for the nuclear industry met with companies from the United States and Canada, as well as with representatives of the US Department of Energy, within an event that lasted one day and included visits, presentations and B2B meetings aimed to strengthen cooperation between the nuclear industries of Romania and the US.
“The nuclear industry in Romania appreciates the opportunity of being involved in bilateral discussions with our partners from the United States and Canada and has confidence in the high quality and efficiency that the partnership will bring in the implementation of future nuclear projects in Romania. ROMATOM has assessed the capacity of the nuclear industry in Romania in contributing to the project of Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda NPP at 25%-40% of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) contract. We rely on the expertise of the qualified workforce, the experience gained in the realization of the operational units at Cernavodă and the 25 years of safe and efficient operation of Cernavoda NPP to develop and expand our skills and knowledge within our commitment to implement nuclear projects in Romania and in other countries, thus contributing to the fulfillment of objectives regarding decarbonization and obtaining economic growth in our country,” declared Lucian Rusu, President of ROMATOM.
Currently, the nuclear industry in Romania ensures 11,000 jobs, a number that could grow to 20,000 in the context of the new nuclear construction projects and has an annual contribution of EUR 5.7 billion to the national GDP, being a force of sectoral growth, development of education, nuclear research, and innovation.
“In accordance with the European objectives on decarbonization, Romania is firmly committed to developing the nuclear program, with clear benefits in terms of both decarbonization, as the existence of four operational units will lead to avoiding the release into the atmosphere of 20 million tons of CO2 every year, and in terms of social and economic impact. Romania’s nuclear industry is a mature one, experienced and with broad knowledge. We consider that the meeting was a natural continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded in October last year between ROMATOM and the Nuclear Energy Institute of the United States, trusting that a North Atlantic cooperation is the optimal solution. Strengthening cooperation with our partners in the US and Canada, while maintaining the European presence, is a positive signal for the continuation of the Romanian nuclear program by completing Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda NPP, refurbishment of Unit 1 of Cernavoda NPP and other projects such as development of Small Modular Reactors technology,” added Teodor Chirica, Honorary President of ROMATOM.
