The contract from Romanian utility Nuclearelectrica is for Laurentis to provide technical assistance in planning the refurbishment of Unit 1 at Cernavodă .
This is Laurentis’s second contract with Nuclearelectrica for the refurbishment, scheduled to begin in 2026-27 pending regulatory approval. The first contract was for Laurentis to develop a conservation programme that will protect the integrity of Unit 1’s reactor water systems during the refurbishment.
Canada and Romania announced recently they had signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation on nuclear energy – including collaboration on Candu reactor refurbishments and new build projects in the eastern European country.
The Canadian government said the memorandum of understanding positioned Canada as “a partner of choice to support nuclear development in Romania”.
Romania has long been planning to refurbish the two existing operational Candu plants at Cernavodă and also wants to complete two additional Candu units at the site.
Earlier this year, Cosmin Ghita, chief executive officer of Romania’s state nuclear company Nuclearelectrica, said the construction of two new units at Cernavodă will cost €7bn with an investment decision and mobilisation at the construction site estimated for 2024.
