The work is in preparation for the upcoming Cernavodă-1 refurbishment project, which would see the plant’s operating life extended to 2060.
Candu Energy specialists will carry out design and procurement engineering work needed for design modifications and recommendations arising out of a “condition assessment” for the refurbishment of Unit 1. The company will also design new infrastructure and buildings needed to support reactor retubing activities.
Within the project, SNC-Lavalin will work with Italian power engineering company Ansaldo Nucleare, which will supply engineering services for the balance of plant activities. Other key supporting organisations include US-based Sargent and Lundy, Romania’s CITON and General Electric Steam Power, who are expected to supply engineering services associated with the refurbishment.
The Cernavodă-1 refurbishment project began in 2017 and is in the second of three phases. This phase, due to last until 2026, includes providing the financial resources and negotiating and granting engineering, procurement and construction contracts. The third phase, scheduled for 2027 to 2029, starts with the shutdown of Unit 1 and includes all the work required for refurbishment and the plant’s recommissioning.
Cernavodă-1, a 650-MW Canada-designed Candu 6 pressurised heavy water reactor unit, began commercial operation in 1996.
The two Cernavodă units are Romania’s only commercial nuclear power plants. In 2021 they provided more than 18.5% of the country’s electricity generation.
The Romanian government and state nuclear operator Nuclearelectrica have also signalled their intent to complete Units 3 and 4 at Cernavodă. Both would be reactor new-builds, designed to use Candu technology.
