Romania’s New Nuclear Station To Come With 2-4 Reactors

“We’ll need a new power station, with two or four reactors, after 2020,” said Teodor Chirica, the head of Nuclearelectrica, the operator of Romania’s sole nuclear power station Cernavoda.

Romania’s Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu has recently reiterated the government’s plans to build a new nuclear power station to reduce reliance on one generation source, namely Cernavoda.

The power plant in Cernavoda operated by Nuclearelectrica has two reactors and provides around 18% of Romania’s generation needs. The plant was initially designed to have five reactors, each with 700 megawatts.

Romania is looking for investors to set up a joint venture with Nuclearelectrica in order to build nuclear reactors 3 and 4. The venture is expected to be registered in May.

The six companies interested in building the two reactors are: ArcelorMittal’s Romanian unit (MS), Czech Cez AS (BAACEZ.PR); Belgium’s Electrabel; Italy’s Enel SpA (ENEL.MI); Spain’s Iberdola SA (IBDRY) and Germany’s RWE AG (RWE.XE).

The construction of nuclear reactors 3 and 4 is scheduled to start next year and is estimated to be completed between 2014-2015.