Romania will receive 800 million euros from the EIB for the large-scale refurbishment of unit 1 at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant

Romania’s state-owned nuclear operator, Nuclearelectrica, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have officially signed a loan agreement worth 800 million euros, BalkanEngineer.com learned from a report by Romania Insider.com. The funds will be invested directly in the large-scale project to refurbish and modernize Unit 1 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. The financing is part of the European institution’s broader commitment to supporting clean energy and security of supply in the region.

Unit 1 of the plant, which uses CANDU 6 technology (heavy water and natural uranium) and has an installed capacity of 700 MW, has been operating continuously since 1996. The comprehensive technological upgrade project will enable the reactor to continue operating safely for another 30 years—until 2060. According to technical estimates, extending the life of this unit will ensure the production of approximately 5.5 million MWh of clean electricity annually, preventing the release of over 5 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year.

The €800 million provided by the EIB will cover strategic project activities, such as the replacement of key reactor components (including fuel channels and collectors), the modernization of control and management systems, and the implementation of additional safety systems in full compliance with the latest international standards.

The total cost of the rehabilitation of Unit 1 is estimated at nearly 1.85 billion euros. The project is currently in Phase 2, which involves securing financing, signing contracts with engineering partners, and preparing the infrastructure. The actual shutdown of the reactor to carry out the installation work is scheduled to begin between 2027 and 2029. The Romanian Ministry of Energy emphasizes that the EIB’s support is a huge vote of confidence in the country’s nuclear program, which, in addition to the refurbishment of the old units, also provides for the construction of two new reactors (Units 3 and 4) at the same site.

Photo source: ©Engineer BG via Canva.com