Nuclearelectrica shareholders have approved €800 million in European Investment Bank loans to refurbish Unit 1 at Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant.
The financing is divided into two loans of €400 million each. Nuclearelectrica expects the first to be signed before the end of 2026 and the second in early 2027.
The refurbishment is intended to extend the reactor’s operating life by about 30 years.
Unit 1 refurbishment and operating timeline
Unit 1 entered service in 1996 and is scheduled for major works between 2027 and 2030. The project includes replacing pressure tubes and modernising equipment.
Nuclearelectrica expects the reactor to return to service in 2030 and operate until around 2060.
After restarting, Unit 1 is expected to supply about 9% of Romania’s annual electricity production.
