RoPower Nuclear to Develop SMRs in Romania

Nuclearelectrica (SNN) and Nova Power & Gas launched RoPower Nuclear, the project company for the development of small modular reactors in Romania, on the site of the former coal-fired power plant in Doicesti, Dambovita County.

Jose W. Fernandez, US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment, US Department of State, and Romanian Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu observed the signing ceremony of the Shareholders Declaration, at the Ministry of Energy, in Romania.

The project company RoPower Nuclear SA will take steps toward deploying the first NuScale VOYGR-6 (462 MWe) power plant in Romania this decade. The power plant will use the NuScale Power Module technology of NuScale, the only SMR company which obtained design approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The installed capacity can also be supplemented with renewables amounting to a capacity of c. 80MWe, which would make the new energy complex exceed the capacity of the former Doicesti plant. The joint nuclear-renewable solution would represent not only an optimal production capacity, with the ability to vary output, but also a vision of the generation sources for the power grid of the future.

“We are proud that we will develop in Romania a safe power plant that offers clean and cost-effective energy, bringing at the same time multiple benefits for the local community. With energy independence and energy security as the highest objectives, Romania will be a leader for the deployment of small modular reactors in the region and the new company, RoPower Nuclear an example of best practices in implementing the highest nuclear safety standards, performance, and productivity, following the example set by Cernavoda NPP for more than 25 years,” Cosmin Ghita, CEO SNN stated.

“The Statement of the Shareholders of RoPower Nuclear, signed today, reaffirms the good faith of the two partners, Nuclearelectrica and Nova Power & Gas, for the deployment in Romania of the NuScale Small Modular Reactors (SMR). At the same time, it is a guarantee that we will treat this project with the utmost seriousness. The long cooperation between the United States and Romania in the nuclear field has a very successful track record. Thus, I am firmly convinced that the RoPower Nuclear will have an excellent cooperation with both the US nuclear industry and Romanian industry, under the frame of the USA-Romania strategic partnership, providing clean energy and security of supply for our country and the region,” Teodor Chirica, President of the Board, SNN, added.

“RoPower Nuclear, the joint venture between Nuclearelectrica, a Romanian national company and Nova Power & Gas, a Romanian private company, combining the expertise, the potential, the stability, and the agility from the parent companies, could be a model for other future projects in energy. We are very proud to be part of such a transformative project, which will ensure Romania’s energy security,” said Teofil Mureșan, Chairman, Nova Power & Gas.