Romania has restarted Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 following a scheduled maintenance outage, restoring 700 MW of nuclear generation capacity to commercial operation. The unit’s return follows the completion of work that kept the reactor offline for a planned period. Nuclearelectrica said the restart supports Romania’s electricity supply position and system flexibility during times when renewable output declines.
Maintenance outage and grid reconnection
The reactor, operated by Nuclearelectrica, was disconnected from the grid on 10 May for a maintenance programme lasting approximately two months. The scope included preventive and corrective maintenance, mandatory safety inspections, equipment testing, and modernization activities on selected plant systems. These measures were carried out to support continued reliable operation.
Nuclearelectrica stated that all maintenance activities were completed in line with approved technical procedures. The company said the works complied with nuclear safety standards and environmental protection requirements. The restart of the unit followed completion of the programme.
Impact on system balance and operational performance
The return of Cernavoda Unit 1 is expected to improve the balance of Romania’s electricity system. The effect is most relevant during evening peak hours when solar generation decreases while electricity demand remains elevated. Nuclearelectrica said the additional available capacity can reduce reliance on imports and support stability in tighter market conditions.
Unit 1 was commissioned in 1996 and has generated more than 149 million MWh over its operational lifetime. Nuclearelectrica estimates that the reactor’s output has avoided approximately 145 million tonnes of CO₂. The company also reported a capacity factor above 90%.
Nuclearelectrica’s CANDU fleet and fuel production
Nuclearelectrica operates two 700 MW CANDU reactors at Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. The company also owns the Nuclear Fuel Factory in Pitesti, which manufactures fuel bundles for CANDU 6 reactors. Its nuclear assets are positioned as part of Romania’s energy strategy supporting security of supply, decarbonisation targets, and electricity-market stability across Southeast Europe.
