The energy sector contributes to the development of Romania, having a significant influence on the economy, quality of life and the environment. In order to sustain consumer expectations for the long term, the Romanian energy sector must become more robust from the economic point of view, more advanced from the technological point of view and overall less polluting.

Romania’s energy policy is harmonized with European policies and focuses on three pillars of European policy: ensuring energy security, competitiveness and sustainability. Achieving these goals requires the transformation of the energy system by developing the necessary infrastructure, which is the substance of a new national strategic project.

In the context of European energy and climate change policies that have been in place since 2007, Romanian energy policy must account for the energy and environmental objectives adopted by the European Council for 2030, as well as the initiatives launched by the European Commission to set up the Energy Union and promote the Clean Energy Package. Within this context, European energy and climate change policies will affect the development of a new Romanian energy strategy that will fit in the context of the agreed objectives at the European level:

• A mandatory EU-level target of at least 40% reduction of domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990;

• An EU-wide target of 27% renewable energy consumption by 2030;

• An indicative EU target of 27% improvement in energy efficiency by 20% by 2030;

• The completion of an internal energy market by meeting the goal of a 15% interconnection target by 2030.

The draft strategy is still being developed, taking economic competitiveness into account, in addition to the accessibility of the consumers and the participation of Romania to achieve European decarbonization targets, according to national specificities.

The draft strategy has five fundamental objectives:

1. Ensuring energy security;

2. Creating a competitive energy market, strongly integrated into regional markets and the European single market;

3. Promoting clean energy — bolstering clean, low carbon energy sources in line with European policy and the provisions of the Paris Agreement;

4. Modernizing the energy governance system;

5. Reducing energy poverty and protecting consumers.

Romania seeks to maintain a balanced energy mix that ensures energy security and balances energy independence provided by the efficient use of national resources and interconnectivity with neighbouring countries in the region as an alternative, including in critical situations. It is intended to keep traditional fuels — oil, natural gas, coal and uranium — as a part of the energy mix over the upcoming decades, in parallel with the increasing contribution of renewable resources. In light of these considerations, the main directions of action of the energy policy are:

• Continuing infrastructure development and natural gas supply;

• Increasing the flexibility of the national energy system through digitization, smart networks and by developing the category of active consumers;

• Developing high efficiency cogeneration, in parallel with the modernization of district heating systems (SACET);

• Increasing the energy efficiency of homes to mitigate energy poverty;

• Reducing the level of energy poverty and protecting consumers.

Source: Romanian Energy Strategy Project 2016–2030, with the perspective of 2050.

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

*Solid, liquid: million tonnes; gas: billion m³; uranium: metric tonnes; hydro, renewable: TW.

**All information about national resources in Romania is classified.

n.a.: Data not applicable.

TABLE 2. ENERGY STATISTICS

*Latest available data.

**Energy consumption = Primary energy consumption + Net import (Import-Export) of secondary energy.

***Solid fuels include coal, lignite.

—: Data not available.

Source: http://statistici.insse.ro/shop/index.jsp?page=tempo3&lang=ro&ind=IND108A

The National Power System (NPS) represents all the power plants that are involved in the production, transport, distribution and operation of electricity. NPS operations depend on the situation of these installations and on issues related to energy resources, market elements, and the requirements of regulations in the field. Currently, Romania has a balanced and diversified energy mix, due to the existence and capitalization of its energy resources, which makes the national energy sector competitive at the regional level.

Coal is a basic component of the energy mix, being a pillar of national energy security.The power plants are the first energy units built into the system, yet much of these generating capabilities are older than 30 years. At present, the park for these energy units is subject to the programmes to upgrade, modernize and realize environmental investments, according to the European requirements. The biggest problems faced by coal units are mainly related to adaptation to environmental requirements and to the increasing price of CO₂, which implicitly leads to an increase in the price of energy produced and a decrease in the competitiveness of these units in the energy market.

In extreme weather, both in summer and winter, coal fired power plants cover about one third of the electricity demand when other energy sources become unavailable. Natural gas has a share of about 30% of domestic primary energy consumption. Hydro power plants contribute between 15 and 20% of electricity production, depending on the availability of resources. The renewal of the hydrocarbon capacities has a significant upward trend towards capabilities in the coal sector. The new technologies of achieving these units, with quick start and combined cycle (steam/gas), give them an important role in balancing NPS.

Nuclear power, a low carbon energy source currently accounting for a significant share of total national electricity production (about 18%), is a core component of the Romanian energy mix, supported by an internal infrastructure covering the open nuclear fuel cycle, which allows the country to have a high degree of independence in the production of nuclear energy.

Romania has rich and varied renewable energy resources as well, including: biomass, hydropower, geothermal potential, wind, solar and photovoltaic energy. Development potential in the biomass sector is still high, especially through efficiency and the introduction of new technologies, such as biorefineries and biogas production capacities. Judicious management of the forest fund is a basic condition for the energetic use of wood. Geothermal resources are only marginally exploited in Romania, but there is a potential for increasing the use of these resources in the coming decades.

The transmission and system operator, Transelectrica SA, coordinates the power flows of the NPS by controlling dispatchable production units. The dispatchable units are those which, from the DEN disposal, can be switched on, off, or adjusted in terms of power. Although dispatching involves additional costs for manufacturers, it makes it possible to balance NPS in extreme situations. Of the total gross power available of nearly 20 000 MW, only 3000 MW are non-dispersible.

In Romania, the distribution of electricity is a regulated activity being carried out by eight distribution operators to which the state has leased the power distribution service. In this sector, sustained investment is required to achieve a high level of performance, in line with consumer expectations as well as their degree of supportability. Electricity distribution operators attach great importance to investments in upgrading and developing maintenance networks and operations, which aim to improve the quality of consumer services and food security, among others.

TABLE 3. INSTALLED CAPACITY, ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

*Latest available data.

**Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

—: Data not available.

…: to be ignored.

Source: http://statistici.insse.ro/shop/index.jsp?page=tempo3&lang=ro&ind=IND108A

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

*Latest available data.

**Net import/Total energy consumption.

—: Data not available.

Source: http://statistici.insse.ro/shop/index.jsp?page=tempo3&lang=ro&ind=IND108A

Dates of reference in the Romanian nuclear energy field:

• 1968 — Launch of the Nuclear National Programme.

• 1970 — Inauguration of the Heavy Water Pilot and Nuclear Power Plants and Facilities Design Division. 

• 1971 — Founding of the Institute for Nuclear Technologies as a technological support for the Nuclear Power Programme in Romania.

• 1976 — Completion of the Romanian–Canadian feasibility study for the CANDU system in Romania.

• December 1978 — Contracts between ROMENERGO and AECL for the takeover of the CANDU system licence and for design and procurement of the nuclear equipment for Unit 1 are concluded.

• February1981 — Contracts between ROMENERGO–Ansaldo (Italy) and General Electric (USA) for the conventional part (BOP) of Unit 1 are concluded.

• 1982 — First containment concrete is poured (reactor building base slab).

• December 1985 — Delivery on-site and installation of the Calandria vessel for the Cernavoda NPP Unit 1.

• 1989 — Installation of the fuel channels at the Cernavoda NPP Unit 1.

• December 1989 — Romanian revolution; the Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 is 45% complete.

• July 1990 — The first PRE-OSART mission of the IAEA to the Cernavoda NPP, which leads to the recommendation of creating a management team with international experience in nuclear power projects.

• August 1991 — The management contract with AECL–Ansaldo Consortium (AAC) is concluded.

• May–June 1995 — The fuel loading of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1.;

• 16 April 1996 — The first criticality of the Unit 1 reactor.

• 11 July 1996 — The first synchronization to the grid of Unit 1.

• 2 December 1996 — Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 is declared to be in commercial operation.

• 30 June 1997 — The transfer of Unit 1 management and operation responsibilities from AAC to Romanian personnel.

• 2 July 1998 — The setting up of the national company Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN) by dividing the RENEL energy conglomerate, with SNN on one side and the Autonomous Authority for Nuclear Activities (RAAN) on the other.

• 30 September 1999 — Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 ranks tenth in world capacity.

• February 2003 — Canadian, French, Italian and US loan agreements are signed with Societe Generale, Credit Lyonnais and the Romanian Bank for Development for Unit 2 completion.

• 24 March 2003 — The contract for the completion and commissioning of Cernavoda NPP Unit 2 enters into force.

• 30 March 2004 — EURATOM Loan is approved by the European Commission, subject to the implementation of a well defined improvement package.

• December 2005 — The completion of Unit 2’s main systems and transfer of procedures to the commissioning team, comprising a total number of 154 systems.

• 6 May 2007 — The initiation of the chain reaction (criticality) at Unit 2, at 23:25 hours.

• 7 August 2007 — The first synchronization of Unit 2 with the national power system, at 25% of the reactor’s capacity of 700 MW(e), at 17:21 hours.

• 12 September 2007 — Unit 2 reaches full power for the first time during commissioning tests.

• 28 September 2007 — The management of Unit 2 is turned over to SNN.

• 5 October 2007 — The official inauguration of Cernavoda NPP Unit 2.

• 25 March 2009 — Incorporation and registration of EnergoNuclear project company, responsible for the construction of Units 3 and 4.

• November 2010 — The European Commission granted a positive opinion on Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 in compliance with the provisions of article 41 of the FORATOM Treaty, which certifies the application of technical and nuclear safety criteria

• 25 September 2013 — The environment agreement for continuation of the construction works and completion of Units 3 and 4 is obtained.

• November 2013 — Listing of SNN shares on the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

• August 2014 — The Romanian Government and the SNN general meeting of shareholders approve the strategy for the continuation of the project and the launching of a new selection procedure for investors.

• November 2014 — China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) is declared the selected investor for Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 after passing the selection procedure.

• November 2015 — SNN and CGN sign the memorandum of understanding for the continuation of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 and negotiations begin on the investment documents (the Articles of Incorporation and Investors Agreement), negotiations for which have been extended until the present day by successive resolutions of the SNN GMS. Both Romania and China are committed to the completion of the project.

• September 2017 — SNN GMS approves the initiation of the first phase of the refurbishment of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1, commissioned in 1996.

Source: www.nuclearelectrica.ro

FIG. 1. The main players involved in the nuclear power programme.

The main institutional pillars of the Romanian nuclear field are:

• The energy sector is under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, which formulates policies and strategies. The Ministry of Energy establishes the national strategy in the energy field and is the major shareholder of the nuclear energy production sector, nuclear research and engineering, nuclear fuel and heavy water production.

• The Ministry of the Environment is the central authority for environmental protection and has specific responsibilities in this domain in the licensing and control of nuclear installations.

• The National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) is the nuclear safety and security regulatory authority of Romania, responsible for the regulation, licensing and control of nuclear activities, ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the protection of the public and workers from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

• The Nuclear Agency and for Radioactive Waste (ANDR) is a specialized authority of the central public administration, acting as a legal entity coordinated by the Ministry of Economy. It is responsible for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the related research and development programmes. ANDR is the national competent authority responsible for coordinating the pre-disposal management of spent fuel and radioactive waste from operations and decommissioning, being responsible for its safe disposal.

• SNN is the owner and operator of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant (NPP). The company includes two subsidiaries, no legal persons, one for nuclear power production (Cernavoda NPP) and one for nuclear fuel production (Nuclear Fuel Plant — FCN Pitesti), respectively. SNN is a Government owned company, coordinated by the Ministry of Energy. The company was listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange in 2013 and, in its current shareholding structure, the Romanian state (through the Ministry of Energy), owns 82.49% percent of the shares. The remaining percentage is owned by Fondul Proprietatea (9.1%) and other shareholders (8.41%). Its main activities include electrical power and heat production, NPP construction and commissioning and nuclear fuel fabrication.

• The state owned nuclear energy company (RATEN) is the strategic Romanian legal entity coordinating research and development (R&D) activity in the nuclear energy field, which maintains and develops the scientific and technologic support for the National Nuclear Energy Programme. RATEN is subordinated to the Ministry of Energy and manages two subsidiaries: the Institute for Nuclear Research (RATEN ICN) and the Centre for Nuclear Projects Engineering (RATEN CITON). The two organizations act as scientific, technical and engineering support (technical support organizations) for the safe operation of the Cernavoda NPP new build and for the other installations and projects that are part of the national nuclear power programme.

• The National Uranium Company (CNU), government owned and subordinated to the Ministry of Energy, is responsible for uranium mining and milling activities, including geological research and exploitation activities for uranium ores, ores processing and refining, commercialization of dioxide of uranium (UO₂) and octoxide of uranium (U₃O₈). Currently, CNU is undergoing a reorganization procedure and no longer supplies raw material to SNN.

TABLE 5. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Cernavoda NPP Units 1 and 2, both in operation, ensure approximately 18% of the total energy generated in Romania. In 2017, both units at the Cernavoda NPP produced 11 508 865 MWh. Unit 1 registered a capacity factor of 97.14% and Unit 2 of 89.72% (due to the planned outage). Based on the service capacity factor of both units (91.6%), Romania a high capacity factor of nuclear power plants worldwide.

The Romanian energy strategy does not provide the completion of Cernavoda NPP Unit 5 as it does for Units 3 and 4; instead, it requires the capitalization of the works and assets to be used in relation to the operation of the other units. The feasibility study for the change of scope of Unit 5 was completed in 2011.

Regulatory framework

Law No. 111 of 1996, on the safe deployment, regulation, licensing and control of nuclear activities, provides the legislative framework governing the safety of nuclear installations. The licensing process for nuclear installations is based on the provisions of the law and of the nuclear safety regulations issued by CNCAN.

The operating licences for the Cernavoda NPP units are issued for periods up to ten years and are renewed taking account of the periodic safety reviews. There are no specific regulations for the authorization of long term/extended operation. The process is similar to that for the first licensing of the operation phase, but takes account of the results of the periodic safety review and greater focus is placed on ageing management to ensure that sufficient safety margins exist for the entire period for which the licence is requested and granted. The regulations require that at all times the licensee/applicant demonstrates that the safety analyses/design basis for the nuclear installation remain valid and safe operation can be ensured for the period to be covered by the licence. Compliance with this requirement is verified on the occasion of initial licensing, for each licence renewal, for each periodic safety review, as well as on a regular basis through normal regulatory oversight processes. The main document submitted to CNCAN by the licensee for justifying long term/extended operation is the updated final safety analysis report. This report contains the safety demonstration for the plant, taking into account the physical status of the installation, the impact of ageing, the safety upgrades performed and the current safety requirements and standards.

The current nuclear safety regulations and guides providing the basis for the licensing and regulatory oversight of the Cernavoda NPP include the following:

• NSN-01 — Nuclear safety requirements on siting of NPPs (2010).

• NSN-02 — Nuclear safety requirements on the design and construction of NPPs (2010).

• NSN-05 — Nuclear safety requirements on the operational limits and conditions for nuclear installations (2015).

• NSN-06 — Nuclear safety requirements for the protection of nuclear installations against external events of natural origin (2015).

• NSN-07 — Nuclear safety requirements on the response to transients, accident management and on-site emergency preparedness and response for NPPs (2014).

• NSN-08 — Nuclear safety requirements on probabilistic safety assessments for NPPs (2006).

• NSN-09 — Nuclear safety requirements on fire protection in NPPs (2006).

• NSN-10 — Nuclear safety requirements on periodic safety reviews for NPPs (2006).

• NSN-11 — Nuclear safety requirements on emergency core cooling systems for CANDU NPPs (2006).

• NSN-12 — Nuclear safety requirements on containment systems for CANDU NPPs (2005).

• NSN-13 — Nuclear safety requirements on shutdown systems for CANDU NPPs (2005).

• NSN-14 (rev. 1) — Regulation on the licensing of operating personnel, management personnel and personnel in charge of specific training, applicable to nuclear power plants, research reactors and other nuclear installations (2014).

• NSN-16 — Nuclear safety requirements on surveillance, maintenance, testing and in-service inspections for nuclear installations (2018).

• NSN-17 — Nuclear safety requirements on ageing management for nuclear installations (2016).

• NSN-18 — Nuclear safety requirements on event reporting and analysis and on the use of operating experience feedback for nuclear installations (2017).

• NSN-20 — Regulation on the nuclear safety policy and independent nuclear safety oversight for nuclear installations (2015).

• NSN-21 — Fundamental nuclear safety requirements for nuclear installations (2017).

• NSN-23 — Training, qualification and authorization of nuclear installations personnel with nuclear safety related jobs (2017).

• A set of 13 regulations on quality management systems for the nuclear sector (issued in 2003–2005 and updated in 2014).

• NSC-01 — Regulation on the protection of nuclear installations against cyber threats (2014).

• GSN-01 — Guide on the industrial codes and standards for nuclear power plants (2015).

• GSN-02 — Guide on the independent verification of nuclear safety analyses and evaluations (2015).

• GSN-04 — Guide on the format and content of the final safety analysis report for nuclear power plants (2015).

The complete set of regulations and guides applicable to nuclear installations is available on CNCAN’s web site: http://www.cncan.ro/despre-noi/legislatie/norme/

Lifetime extension of Unit 1

Initiated in 2013, the refurbishment of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 represents the largest investment project developed exclusively by SNN, as Unit 1 was initially commissioned on 2 December 1996. The pressure tubes of the fuel channels of the CANDU 600 plants were designed for a life of 210 000 hours of operation at rated power (effective full power hours — EFPH), which, at a capacity factor of 80%, means a 30 year economic operational life. The main life limiting components and structures include fuel channels, feeders and nuclear reactor containment. Due to design improvements implemented over time and judiciously performed operation and maintenance, Unit 1 has operated at a capacity factor of 90%. Therefore, Unit 1 will reach 210 000 hours of operation at rated power in late 2023, after approximately 26.6 years of operation since its commissioning, and about 3.4 years before reaching its designed lifetime of 30 years.

In recent years, the nuclear industry has researched the behaviour of fuel channels over time and the ageing mechanisms that affect them, in order to extend their lifetime beyond the initially estimated design limits. The international experience for the extension of the fuel channel lifetime and the results of the previous inspections led to the preliminary assessment that Unit 1 could operate for approximatively 245 000 hours of operation (30 calendar years) under nuclear safety conditions and efficiency in operation.

A longer operating period has positive effects on the preparation and development of refurbishment works by:

• Extending the period for a the company to accumulate the necessary funds for the project;

• Better preparing the project and organizing the works to be developed during the refurbishment process.

By Decision No. 9 of 28 September 2017, the SNN shareholders approved the initiation of Phase I of the refurbishment strategy of Unit 1 CNE Cernavoda, which includes the extension of operating hours beyond 210 000 EFPH. Within this phase, studies regarding the extension of the operating hours beyond 210 000 EFPH will be conducted, as well as studies necessary to elaborate the feasibility study. The feasibility study will be submitted for approval to the SNN GMS in 2021.

The refurbishment Project of Unit 1 CNE Cernavoda will be structured in three phases:

• Phase 1 — Project definition (pre-project organizational works, activities necessary to provide the operation of Unit 1 beyond the 210 000 EFPH, preparation of the feasibility study).

• Phase 2 — Project implementation (engineering works, procurement of equipment, ECP contract, obtaining necessary authorizations).

• Phase 3 — Shutting down the reactor and effective development of the refurbishment project (actual refurbishment outage estimated at 24 months between December 2026 and December 2028).

Corrective actions implemented based on lessons learned from Fukushima Daiichi accident

Following the Fukushima Daiichi accident in March 2011, the Romanian authorities and the nuclear industry performed assessments of nuclear safety and emergency preparedness arrangements and implemented improvements, in line with international efforts in this direction. A national action plan was developed for bringing together the actions identified from regulatory reviews, self-assessments, peer reviews and generic recommendations at the international level.

The actions taken by CNCAN and the Cernavoda NPP to take account of the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident have been presented in detail in public reports:

• National Report of Romania for the 2nd Extraordinary Meeting under the Convention on Nuclear Safety (May 2012) (http://www.cncan.ro/assets/Informatii-Publice/06-Rapoarte/RO-National-Report-for-2nd-Extraordinary-Meeting-under-CNS-May2012-doc.pdf);

• Reports on the implementation of the European Union’s ‘stress tests’ by Romania: (http://www.ensreg.eu/EU-Stress-Tests/Country-Specific-Reports/EU-Member-States/Romania).

The latest status of the implementation of the national action plan post-Fukushima is presented in a report available on CNCAN’s web site (http://www.cncan.ro/assets/Informatii-Publice/06-Rapoarte/Rapoarte-Comisia-Europeana/Romanian-National-Action-Plan-post-Fukushima-rev.2-30.12.2017.pdf).

CNCAN monitors the licensee’s progress in implementing the improvements and continues to perform safety reviews and inspections to ensure that all the opportunities for improvement are properly addressed, taking account of the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident.

The main improvements at the Cernavoda NPP during 2011–2017 are:

• Procurement and testing of mobile equipment (e.g. mobile diesel generators, mobile pumps, connections, etc.) and provision of a new emergency operating procedure for responding to station blackout events;

• Installation of a dedicated emergency containment filtered venting system for each NPP unit;

• Installation of passive autocatalytical recombiners for hydrogen management;

• Additional instrumentation for severe accident management (e.g. hydrogen concentration monitoring in different areas of the reactor building);

• Implementation of design modifications for water make-up to the calandria vessel and the calandria vault;

• Provision of connection facilities required to add water using fire trucks and flexible conduits to supply the primary side of the raw service water/recirculating cooling water heat exchangers and steam generators under emergency conditions;

• Validation of the station’s Severe Accident Management Guidelines through emergency exercises;

• Training for severe accident scenarios, including as part of the emergency drills;

• Installation of a seismically qualified line for water make-up to the spent fuel bay to ensure cooling under severe accident conditions, and provision for natural ventilation of vapours and steam evacuation are ensured;

• New seismically qualified location for the on-site emergency control centre and fire fighters; this development is currently in progress.

TABLE 6. STATUS OF DECOMMISSIONING PROCESS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

n.a.: Data not applicable.

Currently, there are no decommissioned nuclear units in Romania.

Brief history and main decisions

The Romanian Government has plans to further increase the country’s nuclear generating capacity through the commissioning of Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda NPP. Decision No. 643 of 2007 approved the strategy for attracting investors for the Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4, including the schedule for setting up a new company responsible for project completion.

On 29 March 2009, the project company was registered as S.C. EnergoNuclear S.A. with the National Trade Register Office and the management team was appointed. EnergoNuclear was a public–private capital company formed by the selected investors (ArcelorMittal Romania (6.2%); CEZ, Czech Republic (9.15%); GDF SUEZ, Belgium (9.15%); ENEL, Italy (9.15%); Iberdrola, Spain (6.2%); RWE Power Germany (9.15%); and SNN (51%).

In 2011, the investors GDF SUEZ, CEZ, RWE and Iberdrola withdrew from the project, in addition to ENEL and ArcelorMittal. SNN is, currently, the sole shareholder of the project company EnergoNuclear S.A.

On 22 August 2014, the SNN GMS approved the strategy for the continuation of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 through the launch of a competitive selection procedure for a private investor with a view towards establishing a joint venture. The selection procedure was launched on 27 August 2014, and the qualification phase was completed on 9 September 2014, when the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) was declared the qualified investor. After analysis of the documentation of intent (the expertise of the investor with similar projects, the financial capability, the degree of adherence of the qualified investor to the memorandum for the implementation of the project, proposed by SNN, as well as to the sStrategy), CGN was declared a selected investor on 17 October 2014 by the signing of a joint letter on the intention to complete the project.

On 22 October 2015, the shareholders of SNN approved the memorandum of understanding for the development, construction, operation and decommissioning of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4, which was signed between the parties on 9 November 2015. After several negotiation period extensions, SNN and CGN are currently in the process of negotiating the Investors Agreement and Articles of Incorporation of the new project company.

As per the strategy for the continuation of the project, a joint venture company will be set up between SNN and the selected investor (CGN), which is a precursor to an independent power producer (IPP) type company for an estimated duration of two years. The company will be responsible for a feasibility study of the project under current market conditions, evaluation of assets and the final investment decision in order to move to the implementation phase, estimated at seven years.

Project structure

The Romanian state will have a minority contribution in the project (49% and no less than 30%, depending on future capital contributions) represented by an in kind contribution with the existing assets, the heavy water inventory produced for Units 3 and 4 and an initial cash contribution of EUR 2 000 000 to the incorporation of the joint venture. EnergoNuclear will be absorbed into the new project company. The joint venture company will be responsible for making the decision on the contracting of EPC services, obtaining the necessary authorizations and approvals for starting the works, including support mechanisms for the project and notification to the European Commission. SNN will also have the right to supply nuclear fuel and operation and maintenance (O&M) services to the new company during the commercial operation phase at a cost plus margin comparable to the market conditions.

TABLE 7. PLANNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Policies for front end and back end nuclear fuel cycle (mining, converting, enriching, fabricating, reprocessing and managing spent fuel and waste, etc.)

Romania developed an open nuclear fuel cycle which covers extraction of uranium ore, processing and refining of uranium ore into uranium dioxide, the manufacture of nuclear fuel, burning the nuclear fuel in nuclear reactors to produce electricity and storage and disposal of radioactive waste and spent fuel, without ensuring spent fuel reprocessing.

Strategy for funding long term storage of spent fuel and final disposal, waste management and decommissioning

SNN makes the following contributions to the decommissioning and safe disposal of nuclear waste funds administered by ANDR:

• Contribution for the decommissioning of the units in operation of 0.6 euro/MWh of energy produced and delivered to the national power grid;

• Contribution for the disposal of the radioactive nuclear waste and spent fuel of 1.4 euro/MWh of energy produced and delivered to the national power grid.

The main organizations involved in the implementation of the Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 project are:

• SNN — The operator of Cernavoda NPP Units 1 and 2 and the owner of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4. Romania, through SNN, is party to the memorandum of understanding signed with the selected investor, CGN, for the implementation of the project. SNN, together with CGN, will establish a joint venture, precursor to an independent power producer responsible for the implementation of the project. Romania, through SNN, will have a minority share in the JC and IPP, but no less than 30%. The construction licence is issued by the regulatory body, CNCAN.

• The Ministry of Energy — Part of the negotiation process, involved in the Negotiation Commission. Responsible for decision making and approving the mandate of the State’s representative in the GMS of SNN.

The current economic and electricity market context does not adequately provide supportive conditions to develop the large electricity infrastructure projects necessary for the electricity sector. Romania should allow carbon emission technologies alongside nuclear technologies despite the capital intensive long completion periods of nuclear. The Romanian strategy for the continuation of the nuclear project provides support mechanisms to facilitate further development, such as contracts for differences, free energy markets and in line with the European regulations on transparency, competition and state aid. The support mechanism will allow the predictability of investment recoverability and will be based on current market conditions at the time of its approval; an approval from the European Commission for the support mechanism will be necessary.

Not applicable.

SNN organizes national opinion polls once every two years in order to measure public awareness and trust in relation to the use of nuclear power in Romania. The most recent opinion poll was conducted in 2016. The Romanian public generally has a favourable opinion of nuclear power projects (56% support the construction of Units 3 and 4 and 68% agree to the life extension of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1). The level of information of the population about nuclear power has also risen and the concerns about safety issues have decreased (risk of accident 13%, risk or radiation contamination 18%). The most important arguments perceived by the population in support of nuclear power are the reduced cost of nuclear power (45%) and energy independence (30%). The opposition to nuclear projects in Romania is not significant, though some opposition has been posed by organizations such as Greenpeace and Terra Mileniul 3. Public opinion in Romania is generally favourable towards new nuclear projects (over 60% in favour of Units 3 and 4 and of the refurbishment of Unit 1). SNN promotes a collaborative approach to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), making information available and being open to discussion.

Regia Autonoma pentru Tehnologii Nucleare (Technologies for nuclear energy state owned company)

Established on 1 October 2013 due to the reorganization of the Romanian Authority for Nuclear Activities by creating RAAN and separating the R&D and technological engineering activities, RATEN now provides technical support for the nuclear power activities in Romania. The company is organized and acts as a strategic Romanian legal entity, coordinating R&D in the nuclear energy field, maintaining and developing the technical competencies throughout the entire lifetime of the nuclear installations, being involved in the energy strategy development and achievement of the scientific and technical objectives of the National Nuclear Programme.

RATEN’s main activities include:

• Research, design and technological engineering activities;

• Technology development for the national scientific and technical support concerning the safe operation of nuclear facilities;

• Technology development for the new type of GEN IV reactors;

• Technology development for spent fuel and radioactive waste management;

• Radioisotope production for medicine and industry;

• Maintaining competence in the nuclear field, educating and training new specialists;

• Development competencies and capabilities in the nuclear field to provide technical support to public institutions.

The RATEN strategy is sustained by the Annual R&D Programme, which is supported by 18 programmes (www.raten.ro).

The main research priorities are:

• To maintain and develop scientific and technical support for the safe operation of CANDU units of the Cernavoda NPP, including their lifetime extension;

• To develop studies and research on the materials and nuclear fuels field, reactor physics, nuclear safety, equipment and instrumentation and control for nuclear applications;

• To sustain the research activities for GEN IV reactors;

• To implement lead cooled fast reactors technology;

• To manage the characterization and treatment of radioactive waste, environmental and radiation protection, scientific research capacity and technology transfer, and develop and implement nuclear technologies or infrastructure for applications in industry, medicine and physical protection.

The Annual R&D Programme is funded by the Romanian Government, through the Ministry of Energy.

RATEN manages two subsidiaries:

• The Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti, RATEN ICN (www.nuclear.ro);

• The Centre of Technology and Engineering for Nuclear Projects Bucuresti Magurele, RATEN CITON (www.citon.ro).

RATEN ICN Pitesti provides scientific and technical support for the safe and economic operation of NPPs, in accordance with the national and international agreements. The institute operates its own research infrastructure accredited or notified by CNCAN:

• TRIGA research reactor (a pool type reactor, double core: SSR — 14 MW and ACPR — peak power 20 000 MW, completely converted from HEU to LEU).

• Post-irradiation examination laboratory (equipped with facilities and equipment that allow testing, handling and examination of nuclear fuel and structural materials from nuclear power plants, manufacturing sealed sources for industrial radiography).

• Radioactive waste treatment plant.

• Out of pile testing department.

• Nuclear materials and corrosion department.

• Testing labs for characterization of nuclear spent fuel and radioactive waste, radiological characterization of materials resulting from nuclear practices.

• Radiation protection, environment protection and civil protection, surface analysis.

RATEN ICN Competencies:

• Nuclear safety assessments;

• Reactor physics and thermal hydraulics;

• Materials behaviour;

• Post-irradiation examination of materials and nuclear fuel, nuclear materials and corrosion tests;

• Manufacturing technologies for TRIGA and advanced nuclear fuels;

• Out of pile testing;

• Characterization, treatment and conditioning of radioactive waste;

• Electronics, instrumentation and control;

• Tests and qualifications for nuclear equipment and instrumentation;

• Radiation protection, environmental protection and emergency preparedness;

• Design of nuclear equipment.

RATEN CITON, structured as a design and engineering institute for nuclear projects and to carry out R&D associated with the implementation of the National Nuclear Programme, performs design and engineering work and provides technical assistance and engineering support for the construction, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities. As a full-service engineering institute, RATEN CITON can assist customers with all phases of project implementation, including support development.

RATEN CITON engages in the following activities: detailed design for process and support systems associated with a CANDU-600 NPP; detailed design for adjacent installations and support systems for nuclear research reactors and labs; nuclear safety analyses; methodologies for computation and computer-assisted design; technical and economic studies for siting as well as cost estimates for new designs and for operational design modifications for NPP systems and components; thermohydraulic calculations and stress analyses for various working regimes, using specialized computer programmes; technical assistance for equipment fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning; and prognoses regarding the national power system development, especially nuclear power trends.

Romania joined the EURATOM R&D initiative devoted to the development of the Generation IV lead fast reactor (LFR) technology and, through RATEN ICN, is involved in R&D and in the construction of the LFR European demonstrator (ALFRED). Following RATEN ICN’s participation in the EU Framework Programme LEADER (https://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/147643_en.html), the Romanian Government issued Memorandum No. 20/2925 of February 2011, in which it determined that the country would host the ALFRED demonstration reactor at the Mioveni nuclear platform. The demonstrator reactor is being developed primarily by the FALCON consortium (Ansaldo Nucleare and ENEA, Italy; RATEN ICN, Romania) and R&D cooperation with several European organizations. The ALFRED project implementation plan is developed by FALCON members, with the support of the national governments of Romania and Italy. It provides the necessary activities for research, design, siting and licensing during four phases (viability, preparation, construction and operation) with a target date for commissioning of 2028.

The ALFRED project is included in the Romanian relevant strategies (proposed energy technologies that are part of the national energy strategy, national research, development and innovation strategy, Decision No. 81 of 2017, national research infrastructure road map) and will be funded by the national research and innovation plan and European funds.

In September 2007, Romania became an active member of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) by signing its Declaration of Principles. The outstanding importance of this partnership resides in the strengthening of nuclear safety and nuclear risk mitigation through a balanced promotion of R&D and partnership in international policy. Romania is represented on the steering committee and in working groups.

Since 2010, Romania has been a member of the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC), which took over some of the political and economic tasks of the former GNEP. Romania welcomed the IFNEC Steering Group meeting and associated working group meetings in 2014 and the IFNEC Executive Committee meeting in 2015.

Romania also joined the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) in 2007. Signing the related Statement of Principles, Romania implemented all the legal instruments necessary for prevention of nuclear terrorism acts: prevention, early detection, combating and investigation. Romania participates in the meetings organized by the specific working groups and in the plenary meetings.

Romanian scientists are actively involved in international research projects such as: International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), Generation IV International Forum (GIF), Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (FP7 EURATOM, 2007–2013) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Many are also associated with nuclear basic research projects developed within the international research network or in cooperation with international research institutes (e.g. Joint Institute for Nuclear Research DUBNA; CERN, Geneva;, FAIR, Darmstadt).

After its involvement in the IAEA INPRO collaborative projects (SYNERGIES, PROSA and ROADMAPS) Romania became the 38th active Member State in INPRO in August 2012. Romania is committed to performing a Nuclear Energy System Assessment (NESA) using INPRO methodology, in the framework of IAEA resources, together with the IAEA’s technical cooperation mechanism. SNN is an active member of international specialized organizations and entities, such as World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)–Atlanta Centre and COG (CANDU Owners Group), benefiting from a continuous exchange of experience in the field. It is also a member of the World Nuclear Association (WNA) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

RATEN is an active participant in regional, European and international technical cooperation programmes in the following areas: nuclear safety and security, waste management, emergency preparedness and response, specific regulatory issues, research reactors, isotopic technologies, radiation protection and nuclear techniques used in industry, medicine and education:

• Cooperation as a partner/coordinator in the European Commission–EURATOM Framework Programmes for Research on fission:

• Between 2002 and 2017 29 projects have been carried out as partner, one as associate member and two have been coordinated by RATEN ICN (NEWLANCER, ARCADIA). At the end of 2017, eight projects were in progress (FP7– MAXSIMA and CAST, H2020–CEBAMA, FASTNET, GEMMA, MEACTOS, CHANCE, TRANSAT).

• Cooperation with the IAEA:

• Technical Cooperation Project Refueling Simulator and Nuclear Knowledge Management Tool; Technical Cooperation Regional Project, Enhancing Building Activities in the European Nuclear and Radiation Safety Organizations for Safe Operation of Facilities (for the 2018–2019 cycle); Coordinated Research Projects (2017); representative in PWR-HPWR Technical Working Group (TWG); observer in TWG; experts missions; consultative meetings; conferences and courses; fellowship trainings; IAEA courses and workshop organization;

• Technical assistance to nuclear specialists from developing countries that operate CANDU NPPs, development of the nuclear technologies applied in radioactive waste management, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, or starting or enlarging of nuclear programmes;

• Practical arrangements between IAEA and RATEN ICN on Cooperation in the Area of Scientific and Technical Support to Member States in Nuclear Safety and Security;

• Romanian representative in INPRO and its collaborative projects (SYNERGIES, ROADMAPS, KIND, CENESO).

• Cooperation as partners in memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements with: AECL, CANDU Energy and COG Canada, Romania being a CANDU type reactor owner;

• Cooperation as partners in the agreement signed between CEA and RATEN in the field of nuclear science and technology for peaceful uses;

• Cooperation with DOE and General Atomic, USA; Ansaldo and ENEA, Italy; SCK.CEN, Belgium; CEA and IRSN, France;

• RATEN and its subsidiaries are Members of European technological platforms (SNETP, IGD-TP); nuclear associations, alliances and cooperative groups (NUGENIA, EERA, ECG-COMON); the European Technical Safety Organization Network (ETSON), IAEA Technical Working Groups for PWRs, HWRs and FRs; IAEA networks (ALMERA, RANET).

CNCAN represents the national competent authority in exercising regulation, licensing and control of the nuclear field in Romania, for all the activities and installations under the scope of Law No. 111 of 1996 on the safe deployment, regulation, licensing and control of nuclear activities, republished, with subsequent modifications and completions.

CNCAN has all necessary legal powers to issue mandatory regulations and licences for nuclear facilities and activities and to perform evaluations, inspections and enforcement.

CNCAN is an independent governmental body. CNCAN is a public institution of national interest, with legal personality, having its headquarters in Bucharest, chaired by a president with the rank of State Secretary, coordinated by the Prime Minister through the General Secretariat of the Government.

CNCAN has over 50 years of experience in its field of expertise and it has an important role in ensuring strict observance of the requirements for nuclear safety and radiation protection in Romania.

CNCAN has the following main responsibilities (art. 35 of Law No. 111 of 1996):

• Initiates projects for normative acts in its area of competence and issues regulations in the nuclear field, consulting the other authorities with attributions in this domain, as necessary, according to the law;

• Reviews and consents to all the normative acts with implications for the nuclear field, prior to their entering into force;

• Approves, in accordance with the law, the intervention plans for nuclear and radiological accident situations and participates in the intervention;

• Collaborates with the central authority for environmental protection and controls the implementation of the activities of the environmental radioactivity monitoring network;

• Requests the competent authorities in the field of national security to perform the necessary checks for the persons with responsibilities in the field of nuclear activities, in compliance with the specific regulations;

• Initiates, with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, activities for cooperation with the IAEA and with other international organizations specialized in the nuclear field;

• Cooperates with similar institutions/authorities from other countries;

• Controls the implementation of the provisions of international treaties and agreements in force with regards to safeguards, physical protection, illicit trafficking, transport of nuclear and radioactive materials, radiation protection, quality assurance in the nuclear field, nuclear safety, safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, and intervention in case of a nuclear accident;

• Establishes and coordinates the national system for evidence and control of nuclear materials, the national system for evidence and control of radiation sources and of nuclear and radiological installations, and the national registry of radiation doses received by the occupationally exposed personnel;

• Cooperates with other authorities that have, according to the law, attributions with regards to the safe operation of nuclear and radiological installations, correlated with the requirements for the protection of the environment and the population;

• Ensures public information on matters that are under the competency of CNCAN;

• Organizes public debates on matters that are under the competency of CNCAN;

• Represents the national point of contact for nuclear safeguards, for the physical protection of nuclear and radiological materials and installations, for the prevention and combat of illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials, and for radiological emergencies;

• Orders the recovery of orphan sources and coordinates the recovery activities;

• Licenses the execution of nuclear constructions and exercises control over the quality of constructions for nuclear installations;

• Carries out any other duties stipulated by the law, with regard to the regulation and control of nuclear activities.

CNCAN is completely separate and independent from the organizations involved in the promotion and/or production of nuclear energy, in accordance with the provisions of article 8 in the Convention on Nuclear Safety. CNCAN has all the necessary legal powers to issue mandatory regulations, to issue licences for nuclear facilities and activities and to perform evaluations, inspections and enforcement. The regulations are updated whenever needed to adhere to recent national developments and requirements for nuclear safety and radiation protection in the European Union and the IAEA.

Law No. 111 of 1996 empowers CNCAN to issue regulations in the following areas:

• Nuclear safety;

• Radiological protection;

• Quality assurance;

• Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons;

• Physical protection of nuclear facilities and materials;

• Transport of radioactive and nuclear materials;

• Management of radioactive waste and spent fuel;

• Emergency preparedness and intervention in case of nuclear accident;

• Manufacture of products and supply of services for nuclear installations;

• Any other regulations necessary for the licensing and control of nuclear facilities and activities.

CNCAN is responsible for ensuring, through the regulations issued and the dispositions arising from the licensing and control (evaluation, inspection and enforcement) procedures that an adequate framework is in place for the deployment of activities under the scope of the law.

The current licensing practice is based on the provisions of Law No. 111 of 1996 and of the regulations issued by CNCAN.

The detailed regulatory requirements, as well as the assessment and inspection criteria used by CNCAN in the licensing process, are derived from a number of sources, such as:

• Romanian regulations;

• Limits and conditions specified in the different licences;

• IAEA Safety Standards and guides;

• Other international standards, guides and recommendations, including regulatory documents developed in other jurisdictions;

• Applicable standards and codes;

• Licensing basis documentation produced by the licensee and approved or accepted by CNCAN (e.g. safety analysis reports, design manuals, reference documents, station instructions, operating manuals, technical basis documents, etc.).

The licences for nuclear installations are granted to legal persons, at their request, if they prove compliance with the provisions of the law and specific regulations issued by CNCAN. The licences are applied for and issued, respectively, either simultaneously or successively, separately for each kind of activity or for each nuclear or radiological installation operating independently, in the property of the applicant.

As stated in the law, the licences shall be issued for the following phases: design, siting, construction, commissioning, trial operation, operation, repair and/or maintenance (as major refurbishment), modification (as major upgrades), preservation and decommissioning.

In accordance with the provisions of the law, CNCAN is empowered to request from the licensees, or from the applicants for a licence, all the documentation needed for the regulatory decision making process on safety related matters. The documentation that needs to be submitted to CNCAN for review and approval is usually specified in the regulations, licence conditions, regulatory letters and inspection reports.

Additional support documentation is requested on a case by case basis and specified in regulatory letters, minutes of meetings between CNCAN staff and licensee’s representatives, and the like. In addition to the review of the documentation, CNCAN verifies the claims made by the applicant through audits, inspections, licensing meetings and a system of witness points and hold points.

According to the law, the licensees and applicants have the obligation of facilitating CNCAN inspections and providing access to documentation and any other information requested by CNCAN. The general roles, authority and responsibilities of CNCAN inspectors are set in the law. The key objective of the CNCAN inspection programme is to monitor compliance with the legal, regulatory and licensing requirements, and to take enforcement action in the event of non-compliance.