Romania is advancing its nuclear energy capacity with the recent selection of a local consortium to provide essential technical consultancy for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant’s expansion. The partnership, comprising engineering firm Teknosec and the state-owned nuclear research institute RATEN, has been tasked with supporting the development of new units 3 and 4.
The consultancy contract, valued at approximately €5.9 million, was awarded by EnergoNuclear, a subsidiary wholly owned by Nuclearelectrica, which operates the current facilities at Cernavoda. This contract is notably below initial budget estimates and is set for execution over a two-year period, as outlined in Romania’s public procurement regulations.
Under this agreement, the consultants will oversee a variety of preparatory tasks critical to the project’s second phase. Their duties include preparing both preliminary and detailed engineering documentation, conducting safety analyses and compiling necessary permitting files, revising cost projections for construction and commissioning, and establishing a 24-month implementation schedule to facilitate a final investment decision.
This recent consultancy award follows a significant contract signed in late 2024, wherein EnergoNuclear engaged an international consortium led by Fluor and Sargent & Lundy from the United States, alongside Canadian Atkins Realis and Italian Ansaldo. This consortium is responsible for managing engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities for the forthcoming reactors.
The Cernavoda nuclear power plant currently generates approximately one-fifth of Romania’s electricity through its two operational units, each with a capacity of 700 MW. These units utilize CANDU 6 technology that employs natural uranium and heavy water as fuel. The upcoming units 3 and 4 are expected to mirror this design, contributing an additional 1,400 MW to Romania’s energy grid upon completion around 2031. The overall investment for this expansion is projected at €7 billion, with anticipated funding primarily sourced from the United States, Canada, and Italy, supplemented by loans from international commercial banks.
