National nuclear energy producer Nuclearelectrica, project company Energonuclear and the consortium of Fluor, Sargent & Lundy (U.S.), Atkins Realis (CANDU - Canada ) and Ansaldo (Italy) signed on Friday in Baku, on the occasion of the COP 29 meeting, a landmark contract for the construction of Cernavoda nuclear power plant Units 3 and 4, the Romanian Energy Ministry announced in a release.

At the General Meeting of Nuclearelectrica SA Shareholders held on November 14, the Energy Ministry voted for the signing of the key contract, and the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contract - LNTP phase for the development of Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 was consequently inked on Friday during a festive ceremony in Baku.

"This is the most important project for the Romanian energy sector in the last decades. We have the strongest international partners to carry it through by 2031 - 2032. The signing of today's contract required a considerable effort at all levels: diplomatic, financial, legal. (...) This is safe, accessible and clean energy for Romania," Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said, as cited in the release, noting that the two new reactors will mean an additional installed capacity of over 1,400 MW at Cernavoda, an increase in Romania's annual energy production by over 11 million MWh for at least 30 years of operation, over 19,000 well-paid jobs, and cutting at least 10 million tons of CO2 emissions each year.

"Based on the estimated production, Units 3 and 4 will be able to cover the equivalent of today's annual consumption for more than 7 million Romanian households. Once this investment is completed, in 7-8 years Romania will provide more than 30% of the nationwide energy needs only through the production of nuclear energy. Moreover, our country will have a competitive energy price at regional and European level, which will bolster the entire Romanian economy and will reduce the bills for all Romanians. Today's historic step is also a symbolic one, as it shows that Romania is capable of carrying forward a strategic project devised 50 years ago and blocked by decades of hesitation, carelessness or lack of decision," the Energy minister also said.

The EPCM contract was concluded between Energonuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica, and the joint venture FCSA made up of companies Fluor B.V., Fluor Energy Transition Inc. Wilmington Bucharest Branch, AtkinsRealis, Ansaldo Nucleare S.p.A., S&L Engineers, Ltd. and Sargent & Lundy Energie S.R.L. The contract estimated at EUR 3.2 bn is structured in two essential phases: Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) and Final Notice to Proceed (FNTP).

"Today marks a major milestone in the development and, finally, the completion of Romania's strategic project regarding Cernavoda Nuclear power plant units 3 and 4. The EPCM contract represents the foundation of the project. We are honored to work on this contract and project with professional, internationally recognized partners such as AtkinsRealis, Fluor Corporation, Ansaldo Nucleare, Sargent and Lundy, because the success of a project derives from both expertise and robust technology. The CANDU-powered Units 3 and 4 will provide Romania with energy security and clean energy in a safe and sustainable way. Once Units 3 and 4 are connected to the grid, nuclear energy will account for 66% of Romania's clean energy, proving once again the critical role of nuclear energy in decarbonization," said Nuclearelectrica CEO Cosmin Ghita.

During the LNTP phase, the EPCM contract provides for design, development and project management, engineering, technical assistance and procurement assistance services, all aimed at ensuring an integrated quality assurance system, so that Units 3 and 4 are prepared for commercial operation. After the completion of this phase and the feasibility review based on the updated technical and economic indicators, the move to the final investment decision is made, which will allow the actual start of the construction," the release also mentions. AGERPRES (RO - author: Nicoleta Gherasi, editor: Andreea Marinescu; EN - editor: Simona Klodnischi)