Romania’s small modular reactor (SMR) initiative at Doicești is making steady progress, according to Cosmin Ghita, CEO of state-owned electricity producer Nuclearelectrica. The project is currently in the second phase of Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED 2), where detailed site evaluations and design adaptations are being carried out to ensure seamless integration with the national power grid.
These ongoing efforts are focused on finalizing feasibility and financial viability assessments, which will guide the project’s investment decision and shape the next stages of development. Once these studies are completed, a formal investment proposal will be submitted for shareholder review and approval.
Ghita emphasized that nuclear power—both through traditional large-scale plants and smaller, more flexible SMRs—will play a crucial role in Romania’s evolving energy mix. With electricity demand projected to rise significantly by the end of the decade, driven by the expansion of data centers, industrial growth, and emerging energy needs, a diversified and robust energy strategy is essential.
SMRs are expected to help replace retiring coal-fired plants, offering a clean, reliable alternative in an increasingly dynamic system influenced by the rapid rise of renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, large nuclear facilities will continue to provide essential base-load power, helping to ensure grid stability and long-term energy security.
