Ansaldo Nucleare, together with Candu Energy Inc. (Candu Energy), an AtkinsRéalis company, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP), signs the agreement for the refurbishment project of Cernavoda Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant in Romania developed by the state-owned Romanian nuclear energy company Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN).
Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) operates two highly efficient CANDU-6 units, each with a capacity of 700 MW and a design lifetime of 30 years. Cernavoda Unit 1 has been in operation since 1996. To extend its operational life by an additional 30 years, Nuclearelectrica has embarked on a comprehensive refurbishment project for Unit 1.
Today marks a significant milestone as three companies come together to sign the EPC contract for this ambitious project. This contract encompasses the engineering, procurement, construction, and project management necessary to achieve the refurbishment. The final notice to proceed and therefore the contract’s entry into force is conditional upon approval by the general shareholders' meeting of Nuclearelectrica.
Candu Energy is the original equipment manufacturer and steward of CANDU technology worldwide while Ansaldo Nucleare is the original designer of the Balance of Plant of Cernavoda Units 1 and 2. In this project, Candu Energy and Ansaldo Nucleare will lead the engineering, procurement and project management aspects of Nuclear Steam Plant and Balance of Plant work respectively, while KHNP will spearhead the construction phase including infrastructures such as a radioactive waste storage. The shutdown of Unit 1 is scheduled for 2027 and will involve the retubing and refurbishment of the unit, along with the necessary testing. This process is expected to last until 2029, after which the unit will be capable of operating for an additional 30-year lifecycle.
“The goal for Cernavodă NPP Unit 1 refurbishment is to ensure the operation of the unit for another life cycle in conditions of safety and economic efficiency. In order to achieve this objective, all the preparation and implementation activities of U1 Refurbishment Project are carried out according to standards of excellence and the international experience gained from the refurbishment of the other CANDU nuclear units worldwide. This is a key project which will extend U1’s operational life by 30 years to support Romania’s decarbonization goals by avoiding an additional 5 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. We are keen to working with internationally renowned partners which have historically contributed to the current operational performance of Cernavoda Units 1 and 2,” said Cosmin Ghiță, Chief Executive Officer, Nuclearelectrica.
"The today EPC contract for Unit 1 Plant Life Extension represents a major achievement for our company" stated Daniela Gentile, CEO of Ansaldo Nucleare "It reaffirms the enduring trust that Nuclearelectrica has consistently placed in us and our partners, endorsing our expertise. This achievement not only strengthens our partnership with Nuclearelectrica but also, following the signing of the EPCM contract for Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 during COP29 in Baku, further consolidates Ansaldo Nucleare's presence in Romania".
Unit 1 of Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, with an installed power of 700 MW, was commissioned in 1996 and has delivered, up to the present, 133 million MWh, representing about 10% of national consumption. In over 27 years of operation, Unit 1 has prevented the release into the atmosphere of more than 130 million tons of CO2.
