Nuclearelectrica responded to the conclusions of the Prime Minister's Control Body regarding the Doicesti small modular reactor (SMR) project, stating that none of the company's decisions caused any loss and that all actions were taken legally and in the interest of the company. The reaction followed the Government's publication of the report's summary, which flagged delays and issues in the project's implementation.

Nuclearelectrica stressed that the SMR project 'was developed in compliance with legal provisions' and based on the strategic importance of creating a long-term nuclear development platform for Romania. It also said its position relies on technical documentation, independent evaluations by international bodies, corporate governance mechanisms and the applicable legal framework.

Regarding the project timeline, Nuclearelectrica noted that the development calendar was drafted with technology partners NuScale and Fluor, based on information available at the project's launch. It was always intended as an estimated timeline, subject to updates as engineering, licensing and technological maturity advanced. The company emphasised that SMR deployment represents a 'first-of-a-kind' European implementation, requiring successive design, engineering and validation stages. Therefore, updating the timeline 'is inherent to such projects and does not represent a deviation from obligations', especially since project documents do not set firm contractual deadlines.

Nuclearelectrica highlighted that the engineering phase is essential for objectively documenting and validating technical solutions, costs and implementation schedules, forming the basis for all subsequent development steps.

On the choice of the Doicesti site, the company said the location was selected following technical studies and analyses, and independently evaluated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The first IAEA SEED mission in August 2022 reviewed the site-selection study and issued recommendations. After these were addressed, an April 2024 follow-up mission confirmed that all recommendations had been fulfilled and concluded that the site selection complied fully with IAEA standards.

A further SEED mission in May 2025 analysed chapters of the Initial Nuclear Safety Report (ISAR) and methodologies for detailed studies of external hazards, including natural gas-related risks. The mission 'confirmed all methodologies and steps taken and proposed by RoPower' for completing site-specific studies. Nuclearelectrica added that Doicesti offers objective advantages as a brownfield site, with existing energy and industrial infrastructure that favour shorter implementation times and lower costs compared with a greenfield site.

By contrast, the alternative site at Iernut posed significant constraints due to fragmented land ownership - over 100 owners - and agricultural land classification, which would have required complex consolidation procedures and introduced additional risks for duration and cost.

On the creation of the project company RoPower, Nuclearelectrica said partner selection was based primarily on the site criterion. The structure of the project company was designed to allow phased development and attract future investors, in line with practices for large nuclear projects. The Prudent Private Investor Test (TIPP) confirmed that the investment structure and decisions were compatible with how a private investor would act in similar conditions.

The company argued that obligations assumed toward Nova Power & Gas (NPG) were intended to protect the strategic interests of the project and prevent NPG from assigning its claims to any market actor. These clauses, approved by shareholders, were adopted 'to protect the interest of the Romanian State', represented by the Energy Ministry.

Regarding the acquisition of the Doicesti site, Nuclearelectrica said the transaction structure was determined through a prudent, phased analysis reflecting the specific requirements of a nuclear project. The site was assessed not as a standard real-estate transaction but in relation to technical works, conditions and requirements necessary for nuclear development. The land - it said - was purchased at market value, in line with legal provisions, noting that some evaluations reached values up to EUR 60 million. It added that Nuclearelectrica, not being a party to the transaction, cannot investigate or challenge the evaluator's market-value determination, which is 'the exclusive professional responsibility of the authorised evaluator'.

Nuclearelectrica also underlined that no payment has yet been made under the Refacturing Agreement, reflecting the company's prudent approach to protecting its interests and those of shareholders. The executive management also initiated a forensic audit prior to completion of the Control Body's report. Validation of capitalisation or loan financing of related activities will occur only after confirming that all amounts are fully documented, justified and aligned with the nature of the site-acquisition transaction. 'At the moment of finalising the forensic audit, SNN will act in accordance with its results'.

The Doicesti SMR project is described as a strategic national investment aimed at strengthening energy security, developing a competitive nuclear industry and positioning Romania as a regional centre for SMR technology. Nuclearelectrica reaffirmed its commitment to developing the project with legality, transparency, technical grounding, prudent decision-making and good corporate governance.

The company also reiterated its vision of becoming a regional SMR centre, enabling Romania to gain leadership and socio-economic benefits, including a hub for SMR component production and assembly, a training centre for operators and specialists, and a catalyst for regional SMR deployment. The development of similar projects could revitalise decommissioned classical sites through hybrid nuclear-renewable platforms, supporting new technologies and creating national and international operational centres, Nuclearelectrica concludes. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Marinescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)