RSS
Romanian nuclear industry possible involvement in Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 completion, estimated at 40-45pct of project value
The possible involvement of the Romanian nuclear industry in the completion of the project for building Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 can be evaluated at about 40-45 percent of the total value of the project, which represents a significant contribution, with a special impact on the national economy, reveal the data of a study carried out by the Romanian Atomic Forum Association (ROMATOM).
According to the document on updating the capabilities of the Romanian nuclear industry for their involvement in the completion of the project for building the Units 3 and 4 of the nuclear power plant of Cernavoda (CNE Cernavoda), there is a significant capacity in the Romanian economy open to participate in the completion of the two units, covering services of putting in operation, exploitation, maintenance and heavy water and nuclear fuel supply, execution of assemblage construction works, mechanical and electrical equipment supply, as well as design, consultancy and research support services.
'The national industry's interest in this project resides in the fact that a significant part of the national industry already participates in conducting and ensuring the services for the operation and maintenance of Units 1 and 2 of CNE Cernavoda. There are also companies that did not supply these projects with goods and services, but which have the capacity and qualification to do it, some of them already being suppliers for the international nuclear industry,' the cited study mentions.
ROMATOM's assessments show that over 8,300 qualified workers are currently active in industry, being devoted to activities supporting the nuclear energy sector, and, in the case of a new nuclear project, over 7,800 new jobs would be required. This estimation does not include the Romanian staff involved in the activity of the investment beneficiary or the staff involved in the activities for starting the operations and then for exploiting the two units, ROMATOM points out.
Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant was initially designed (in 1978) to comprise four CANDU 6 Units of 706.5 MW each, a design subsequently expanded to five Units. In March this year, a Government Resolution draft released by the Economy Ministry showed that the works on Unit 5 of CNE Cernavoda would cease, the destination and use of the already built structures and spaces going to be modified, for the safe exploitation of Units 1 and 2, as well as for improving the plant's response in case of severe accidents.
At present, on the CNE Cernavoda grounds, Units 1 and 2 are operating, Units 3 and 4 are scheduled for completion in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and Unit 5 is being preserved.
The nominal installed power (the project value) of Units 1 and 2 accounts for 706.5 MW each, the two units of Cernavoda currently ensuring about 19 percent of Romania's energy consumption.
Romania's Government plans to achieve the completion of Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda by attracting financing funds also ensured by private investors, in the private-public system. Project company SC EnergoNuclear SA is in charge of the completion of Units 3 and 4 and their putting in operation.
In 2010, the European Commission voiced the favorable opinion on the completion of Units 3 and 4, in accordance with article 43 of EURATOM Treaty, underscoring that the project of the units met all the Treaty's requirements.