Nuclearelectrica head Ghita: Refurbishment of Unit 1 will ensure another 30 years of clean and viable energy

Nuclearelectrica Chief Executive Officer Cosmin Ghita stated on Wednesday, at the Nuclear Power Plant in Cernavoda, that the refurbishment of Unit 1, an investment worth roughly 3 billion EUR, will ensure another 30 years of clean and viable energy under conditions of safety and economic efficiency.

"Today, we mark an essential moment for the nuclear industry in Romania, for Nuclearelectrica and for the power plant in Cernavoda, the inauguration of construction works within the refurbishment project of Unit 1. This is a major stage which has a dual significance, on the one hand, it crowns a chapter of almost 30 years of history and operation at the highest standards of excellence and safety, and, on the other hand, it opens the door to the future for reactor 1. Following the refurbishment, it will be modernized through the next-generation CANDU technology and will ensure another 30 years of clean and viable energy under conditions of safety and economic efficiency," Ghita stated at the opening of the refurbishment works of Unit 1 of the Nuclear Power Plant in Cernavoda.

According to him, the refurbishment project of Unit 1 has a strategic importance in ensuring Romania's energy security and entails "significant investments" which will support the national economic development.

"The total value of the ongoing investment is approximately 3 billion EUR and this project continues other refurbishment projects carried out at global level," Nuclearelectrica Chief Executive Officer stated.

Reactor 1 entered commercial operation in 1996 and produces 9 percent of the necessary of energy consumption at national level.

He stated that the refurbishment of Unit 1 brings substantial benefits.

Cosmin Ghita argues that there are plans to further increase production capacity through projects targeting reactors three and four.

"In addition, the refurbishment project, which will maintain the production capacity, we have ambitious plans to increase nuclear capacity to over 3,200 MW through the project of units three and four, four CANDU units and small modular reactors. The strategic projects for Romania are becoming a reality through sustainable and trust-based partnerships, with a strong support of national authorities and the involvement of some major external companies in the industry, and some international partners and financiers with a long-standing reputation," Nuclearelectrica head Cosmin Ghita stated.