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, Romania’s energy sector must become more robust economically, more advanced technically 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 energy strategy for Romania 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 2030;

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

The draft Energy Strategy of Romania 2019–2030, with the Perspective of 2050 was launched for public debate in March 2019, taking into account economic competitiveness, in addition to the accessibility of the consumers and the participation of Romania to achieve European decarbonization targets, according to national objectives.

The draft strategy outlines five fundamental objectives:

• Ensuring energy security;

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

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

• Modernizing the energy governance system;

• 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;

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

• Reducing the level of energy poverty and protecting consumers.

Source: Energy Strategy of Romania 2019–2030, with the Perspective of 2050.

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

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

—: data not available.

Table 2 shows energy statistics for Romania.

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 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, owing 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, serving as 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 plan for these energy units is subject to domestic programmes to upgrade, modernize and realize environmental investments, according to greater 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. Hydropower 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 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 Romania’s 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 use of wood to produce energy. 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 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-dispatchable.

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 balancing the 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 other sectors including consumer services and food security.

Table 3 contains information on installed capacity, electricity production and consumption.

TABLE 3. INSTALLED CAPACITY, ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

*Latest available data.

**Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

—: data not available.

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

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

Some of the following information should be available in PRIS.

*Latest available data.

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 Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (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 (United States of America) 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-Operational Safety Review Team (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 enters into 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 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 continuing construction and completion of Units 3 and 4 is obtained.

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

• August 2014 — The Government of Romania 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.

• April 2019 – SNN GMS approved the Preliminary Form of the Investors Agreement on Units 3 and 4 at Cernavoda NPP concluded between China General Nuclear Power Corporation and CGN Central and Eastern Europe Investment (RO) CO.S.A. and Nuclearelectrica SA National Company

Source: www.nuclearelectrica.ro.

Figure 1 shows the current organizational structure of Romania’s nuclear power programme.

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

The main institutional pillars of the Romanian nuclear field are the following:

• 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 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 related research or 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 safe disposal.

• SNN is the owner and operator of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant (NPP). The company includes two subsidiaries, 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% of the shares. The remaining percentage is owned by Fondul Proprietatea (7.05%) and other shareholders (10.46%). 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, ore processing and refining, and commercialization of dioxide of uranium (UO₂) and octoxide of uranium (U₃O₈). Currently, CNU is undergoing a reorganization procedure. As per the strategy for the diversification of the raw material supply sources necessary for the production of nuclear fuel approved by SNN GMS on 25 April 2018, SNN is carrying our due diligence for the potential takeover of the Feldioara U₃O₈ processing line of CNU. As per Law No. 193/2018, the uranium dioxide produced by CNU will be sold at a regulated tariff and SNN will procure it given the availability of the stock and the fulfilment of the quality criteria

Cernavoda NPP Units 1 and 2, both in operation (Table 5), ensure approximately 17-8% of the total energy generated in Romania.

TABLE 5. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

The Romanian energy strategy does not provide for 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, republished with subsequent modifications and completions, 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 licence for a nuclear installation is issued by the CNCAN for a specific period. In the past, the regulatory practice was to issue the licence for a nuclear power reactor for a specific term of ten years, with the possibility of the licence being renewed every ten years, taking the periodic safety review into account. In January 2019, a new regulation on licensing (NSN-22) came into force, which establishes that operating licences for nuclear installations are granted for the periods estimated by the applicant, taking into consideration the design basis, the ageing mechanisms, the operational experience available and the possibility for refurbishment. The licence can be revised and modified. The estimated period of operation can be revised and either extended or reduced based on the safety reviews (including the ten year periodic safety reviews) performed during the operational lifetime of the nuclear installation. The existing licences will be subject to renewal in accordance with the new regulation NSN-22.

Long term operation is allowed for as long as it can be demonstrated that the safety analyses and design basis and licensing basis remain valid and that sufficient safety margins exist for the entire period for which the licence is requested and granted, provided that the licensee complies with the operating limits and conditions. In accordance with the new licensing regulation, refurbishment and long term operation are considered part of the operational phase and are covered by specific limits and conditions in the operating licence.

Compliance with the regulatory requirements is verified on the occasion of initial licensing, for licence renewals, 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 state of the installation, the impact of ageing, the safety upgrades performed and the current safety requirements and standards.

CNCAN issues nuclear safety regulations and guides providing the basis for the licensing and regulatory oversight of the Cernavoda NPP, issued in various areas such as NPP siting, design and construction, licensing of the personnel and of the nuclear facilities, on-site emergency preparedness and response, safety reviews and safety requirements, and quality management systems. The complete set of regulations and guides applicable to nuclear installations is available on CNCAN’s web site: 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%, indicates 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 routinely 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 company to accumulate the necessary funds for the project;

• Allowing adequate time to better prepare the project and organize 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 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 for 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, engineering, procurement and construction (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) (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: (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 (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 the following:

• Procurement and testing of mobile equipment (e.g. mobile diesel generators, mobile pumps, connections) 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;

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

Source: www.nuclearelectrica.ro.

Currently, there are no decommissioned nuclear units in Romania (Table 6).

TABLE 6. STATUS OF DECOMMISSIONING PROCESS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

n.a.: Data not applicable.

Brief history and main decisions

The Government of Romania has plans to further increase the country’s nuclear generating capacity through the commissioning of Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda NPP (Table 7). 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. Currently, SNN is 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 of establishing a joint venture. The selection procedure was launched on 27 August 2014, and the qualification phase was completed on 9 September 2014, when CGN was declared a 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 strategy), 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.

On 14 September 2018, SNN shareholders approved the revised strategy for the continuation of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 project with a view of reorganizing the negotiation/approval stages and terminating the activity of the designated commissions (the Negotiation Commission and the Interministerial Commission), the negotiations being conducted by a Negotiation Commission appointed by the executive management of SNN. The revised strategy also provided that the investors agreement and articles of incorporation of the new joint venture company will be subject to the approval of the SNN GMS within the limit of competences and attributions.

On 10 April 2019, SNN GMS approved the Preliminary Form of the Investors Agreement on Units 3 and 4 at Cernavoda NPP concluded between China General Nuclear Power Corporation and CGN Central and Eastern Europe Investment (RO) CO.S.A. and Nuclearelectrica SA National Company. Following this approval, after the signing of the project documents, the next step is the incorporation of the new project company with a duration of two years and an initial capital of ROL 90 000.

Project structure

The Romanian State will have a minority stake 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 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 management of spent fuel and decommissioning

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

• 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. Romania’s 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.

The implementation of the contracts for difference (Cfd) financing instruments is being pursued in Romania as the Ministry of Energy commissioned a study about the impact and implementation of CfD for energy sources without greenhouse emissions in Romania. The Ministry of Energy also introduced into public debate the general principles regarding the implementation of a support mechanism based on CfD for low carbon emissions energy sources.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

SNN organizes national opinion polls every two years to measure public awareness and trust in relation to the use of nuclear power in Romania. The most recent opinion poll was conducted in 2018. In this study, the Romanian public generally has a favourable opinion of nuclear power projects (67% support the construction of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 and 60% agree to the life extension of 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 (41%) and energy independence (33%). Forty-two per cent of Romanians (increasing from 34%) consider that Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4 should be developed as soon as possible and in cooperation with foreign investors. For the first time in the history of opinion polls carried out by SNN, most Romanians (43%) consider that the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks and also 56% of Romanians understand the fact that the production of nuclear power is safe in Romania. These positive results are due to the communication and public information efforts of SNN, as the main promoter of nuclear power. 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. SNN promotes a collaborative approach to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), making information available and being open to discussion.

Source: www.nuclearelectrica.ro.

Technologies for Nuclear Energy State Owned Company — RATEN

Established on 1 October 2013 owing to the reorganization of the Romanian Authority for Nuclear Activities and separating the R&D and technological engineering activities, RATEN 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 power 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 power programme.

RATEN’s main activities include the following:

• Research, design and technological engineering activities;

• Technology development as national scientific and technical support concerning the safe operation of nuclear installations;

• 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;

• Competence maintenance in the nuclear field, education and training of new specialists;

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

The RATEN strategy is sustained by an annual R&D programme, which is supported by 18 programmes (www.raten.ro).

The main research priorities are the following:

• 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 in the materials and nuclear fuels field, reactor physics, nuclear safety, equipment and instrumentation and control for nuclear power applications;

• To sustain the research activities for GEN IV reactors;

• To implement lead cooled fast reactor 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 Government of Romania, 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 economical operation of NPPs, in accordance with the national and international agreements. The institute operates its own nuclear research infrastructure licensed and acknowledged by CNCAN:

• TRIGA research reactor (a pool type, completely converted from high enriched uranium to low enriched uranium);

• 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 spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, radiological characterization of materials resulting from nuclear practices;

• Radiation protection, environmental protection and civil protection laboratory;

• Surface analysis laboratory.

RATEN ICN competencies include the following:

• 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;

• Safe disposal 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 operating conditions, using specialized computer programs;

• Technical assistance for equipment fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning;

• Prognoses regarding the national power system development, especially nuclear power trends.

Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH)

IFIN-HH is committed to the development of knowledge in physics, especially of subatomic physics, and expanding the impact of the nuclear domain in society through advanced research and professional services in basic and applied physics research.

IFIN-HH is a technical support institute under Law 111 of 1996 and has protocols with national authorities to provide equipment and accredited laboratory expertise to the National System for the Management of Emergencies in Romania, including emergency preparedness and response training activities.

National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies — ICSI Rm. Valcea

ICSI Rm. Vâlcea is a scientific research and technological development unit under the coordination of the Ministry of Research and Innovation. The main research and development areas of ICSI Rm. Valcea are as follows:

• Fundamental and applicative research: isotope separation technologies; physics of condensed states — cryogenics; physics of materials — catalysts; energy — nuclear, hydrogen — fuel cells, energy storage solutions; life science and environment — radioprotection, analytical techniques.

• Technological development: technologies (deuterium/tritium separation); prototypes (fuel cells, Li-ion batteries); advanced analytical methods.

• Technological transfer: in ecology, environment and industry (waste recovery, environmental studies), food industry (origin markers).

The organizational structure of ICSI Rm. Vâlcea was reconsidered starting in 2019 by defining the four departments: ICSI Nuclear, ICSI Energy, ICSI Analytics and ICSI Business. Each of these departments has been assigned a mission and scope of action, consistent with the overall ICSI development strategy. Thus, the mission and strategic objectives for each entity were defined as follows:

• ICSI Nuclear is a mission oriented department working on the development of tritium management technology and which, in this niche domain, has all the conditions to develop research of excellence. The department, which includes National Interest Objective — Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation (PESTD), has a development strategy that goes beyond this limitation and prepares research programmes in the field of storage, permeation and tritium interactions with materials in the short term, in view of using these results in the fusion field. PESTD was designed to develop the technology for heavy water detritiation from the CANDU-like reactors and to assess the equipment and tools involved in cryogenics and tritiated environments. There are no other similar plants of this scale in Europe, and it is one of the few of its kind worldwide. The scientific community from the country and abroad is welcome to collaborate on a variety of topics such as hydrogen isotope separation technologies, materials and equipment for tritium application, tritium analysis and life science. From the European research perspective, the plant provides the possibility of running experiments in the frame of ITER (the fusion programme) and facilitates collaborative work with other research institutes such as MOL Research Centre, Belgium; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany; Institute of Atomic Physics — B.P. Konstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Russian Federation; China Academy of Engineering Physics, China; and National Fusion Research Institute, Republic of Korea. Experience related to design of processes and equipment can be used for tritium processing plants for both heavy water detritiation facilities for CANDU reactors, or as detritiation systems as part of fusion reactors (ITER, DEMO).

• ICSI Energy is the research department focused on new technologies related to sustainable energy systems of the future, with a wide range of working groups, from the development of catalyst-type materials for electrochemical fuel cell reactions or new materials for lithium based batteries (nano level) to those aimed at validating hydrogen and hybrid hydrogen mobility technologies or integrated energy storage systems. Department includes National Interest Objective — National Center for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell.

• ICSI Analytics, ICSI’s analysis laboratories, work to develop and implement advanced investigation methods, then transfer them to meet the needs of society and the economy through integrated analytical approaches to quality and environmental impact in all its forms — water, air and soil, as well as in certification and authentication of origin for various food or environmental matrices. Featuring a host of state of the art tools, and based on the expertise and capability of a professional team, ICSI Analytics manages to successfully combine research with technology transfer by providing services/expertise and studies to a large number of beneficiaries from the country and abroad.

• ICSI Business, originally a business incubator, has expanded its competence to promote and mediate technology transfer applying the main results obtained in the ICSI. It has the mission to maximize the contribution of extrabudgetary funds for the proper conduct of the activities of the three research departments, but also to identify the possibilities of marketing the products/technologies generated by them.

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, the Government of Romania 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 with 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 by 2028. Feasibilities studies for the first research, testing and qualification experimental support facilities (addressing thermal hydraulic processes and lead chemistry) and funding applications are under evaluation by the project financing authority (Ministry of Research and Innovation).

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, national research infrastructure roadmap) and will be funded by the national research and innovation plan and European funds.

Source: https://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/147643_en.html; www.nuclear.ro.

Romania is active in a number of international nuclear organizations, including: the IAEA, the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/NEA), as well as other bilateral and multilateral organizations such as World Association of Nuclear Operators—Atlanta Centre, COG (CANDU Owners Group), World Nuclear Association and Electric Power Research Institute, benefiting from a continuous exchange of experience in the field. 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), EU research framework programme Horizon 2020 EURATOM (2014–2020), and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. 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; European Organization for Nuclear Research, Geneva; Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research, Darmstadt).

Details on each main Romanian institute involved in specific projects in the framework of each of these international cooperation initiatives can be found on the following web sites: www.raten.ro, www.nuclear.ro, www.citon.ro, www.nipne.ro, www.icsi.ro, www.andr.ro, www.nuclearelectrica.ro.

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. 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.

CNCAN is a specialized governmental body with legal personality. CNCAN is a public institution of national interest, with 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 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 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;

• Establishes dose limits for planned exposure scenarios and reference levels for existing and emergency exposure situations;

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

• Approves, within the licensing process and throughout the operating period, the radiological and nuclear emergency response plans of the licence holder;

• Collaborates with the central authority for environmental protection and controls the conduct 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, OECD/NEA and other international organizations specialized in the nuclear field;

• Performs the payment of financial obligations to international bodies and organizations in its area of competence, in accordance with the legal provisions;

• Cooperates with similar institutions/authorities from other countries;

• Initiates the necessary steps for the conclusion of treaties at government level in its field of competence;

• Concludes treaties at departmental level in its area of competence;

• Controls the application of the European legislation, the provisions of the international treaties and the national regulations on safeguards control, physical protection, illicit trafficking, transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials, protection against radiation, requirements for the nuclear management system, nuclear and radiological installations, spent fuel and radioactive waste management and planning, and preparation and response to radionuclide and nuclear emergencies;

• Ensures the provision of the information in its area of competence necessary to inform the population likely to be affected, and the immediate notification of the population actually affected, of the details of the emergency, the measures to be taken, as appropriate, within the National System for the Management of Emergencies prescribed by law, in the event of a radiological or nuclear emergency;

• Organizes public debates in its area of competence, according to the law;

• Represents the national contact point for the regulatory control of protection against ionizing radiation, nuclear and radiological safety, radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management, nuclear safeguards, the physical protection of materials, nuclear and radiological installations, the prevention and combating of illicit trafficking in nuclear materials, and radioactive, as well as radiological and/or nuclear emergencies;

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

• Licenses the construction of nuclear constructions and exercises state control over the quality of constructions within nuclear installations, as an exception to the Law No. 50/1991 regarding the authorization of construction works, republished with subsequent amendments and completions, and Law No. 10/1995 on quality in construction, with the subsequent modifications, which will not apply to nuclear installations;

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

• Transmits notifications and submits reports to the European Commission on the implementation of the Council directives and other Community normative acts in their own area of competence, at the deadlines and at the frequency stipulated by them;

• Endorses the reports on the implementation of Council directives and other nuclear regulatory acts transmitted to the European Commission by other national bodies;

• Endorses the National Strategy for the Development of the Nuclear Field;

• Endorses the medium and long term national strategy for the safe management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste;

• Regularly organizes, at least once every 10 years, self-assessments as well as peer to peer international analyses of its own work as well as national regulatory, authorization and control frameworks; the results of these analyses shall be reported to the European Commission and the other Member States and may be made available to the public, in compliance with the applicable legal regulations on classified information and the principle of confidentiality;

• Controls, in cooperation with other authorities that have, according to the law, attributions in the field, the implementation of the Existing Situation Management Strategy, approved by Government decision;

• Controls the implementation of the strategy for identifying contaminated sites, in cooperation with other authorities that have, according to the law, attributions in the field;

• Controls the implementation of the national action plan for addressing long-term risks from radon exposure, in cooperation with other authorities that have, according to the law, attributions in the field;

• Collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other competent authorities, as appropriate, to develop a national radon action plan that is approved by government decision;

• Collaborates with specialized institutes to identify areas where the annual average of radon concentration in a significant number of buildings is expected to exceed the national reference level provided for in the specific regulations issued;

• Collaborates with specialized institutes to identify dwellings where the annual average radon concentration exceeds the national reference level provided for in the specific regulations issued and to establish, where appropriate, measures to reduce radon concentrations in those dwellings;

• Keeps records of the legal entities holding radioactive sources under the control of CNCAN, as well as of the radioactive sources owned by them.

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 a nuclear accident;

• Manufacturing 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).

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. Authorizations are requested and issued, respectively, simultaneously or sequentially, separately for each type of activity or for each nuclear or radiological facility with its own functionalityor for each distinct type of radioactive material, ionizing radiation generator, device for dosimetric control of ionizing radiation or the degree of radioactive contamination, material or device used for the purpose of protection against ionizing radiation, containerization or transport means specially designed for that purpose which the applicant for the manufacturing authorization intends to carry out, for the purpose of use or sale.

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

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.

Source: www.cncan.ro.