Romania is advancing its plans to enhance nuclear energy production with the selection of a local consortium to provide essential technical support for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant expansion. The partnership, consisting of engineering firm Teknosec and the state-owned research institute RATEN, has been awarded a contract for technical consultancy services aimed at the construction of new reactor units 3 and 4.
The advisory contract is valued at approximately €5.9 million and was granted by EnergoNuclear, a subsidiary fully owned by Nuclearelectrica, which manages the existing plant operations. Notably, this contract is significantly below initial budget estimates and encompasses a two-year execution timeline as per Romania’s public procurement guidelines.
As part of their role, the consultants will oversee a variety of preparatory tasks during the project’s second development phase. This includes preparing detailed engineering documentation, conducting safety analyses, compiling necessary permitting files, revising cost projections for construction and commissioning, and establishing a comprehensive 24-month implementation schedule to facilitate the final investment decision.
This recent consultancy award follows a substantial contract signed in late 2024 when EnergoNuclear engaged an international consortium led by Fluor and Sargent & Lundy from the United States, along with Canadian firm Atkins Realis and Italian company Ansaldo. This group will be responsible for managing engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities related to the new reactors.
Currently, the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) contributes approximately one-fifth of Romania’s electricity supply through its two operational units, each rated at 700 MW and utilizing CANDU 6 technology that relies on natural uranium and heavy water. The forthcoming units 3 and 4 are set to replicate this design, which will add an additional 1,400 MW to Romania’s power grid upon their anticipated completion around 2031. The overall investment for this expansion project is estimated at €7 billion, with funding expected primarily from sources in the United States, Canada, and Italy, supplemented by loans from international commercial banks.
