Canada’s AtkinsRéalis Group introduced it has an settlement to construct two new CANDU nuclear reactors in Romania, which might be the primary new reactors of that kind constructed since 2007.
The Montreal-based firm on Nov. 15 stated the Romanian venture is a three way partnership with Fluor Corp., Ansaldo Nucleare, and Sargent & Lundy. The contract was awarded by EnergoNuclear S.A. for the Cernavoda Nuclear Producing Station, which is already dwelling to 2 720-MW CANDU reactors.
The Canadian authorities in September of this 12 months introduced $3 billion in federal export financing to assist assist the venture. Cernavoda is Romania’s solely nuclear energy plant, and provides about 20% of the nation’s electrical energy.
CANDU (Canada deuterium uranium) reactors have been developed within the late Nineteen Fifties. The primary reactor started working in Pickering, Ontario, in 1971. The World Nuclear Affiliation says there are 27 CANDU reactors working as we speak in seven international locations, together with 17 “CANDU by-product” reactors in India.
Officers stated the brand new models at Cernavoda will permit Romania to just about double its energy era capability.
The AtkinsRéalis Group will present design, engineering, and procurement providers, in addition to assist to EnergoNuclear, the Romanian firm accountable for building, commissioning, and operation of the ability plant. Financing of the brand new reactors will probably be supported by $3 billion from the Canadian authorities, with further capital from different governments, in accordance with a information launch.
‘Recreation-Altering Contract’
“It is a game-changing contract for AtkinsRéalis and Romania. As the only business licensee of world-renowned CANDU know-how, we’re uniquely positioned to contribute to the huge enlargement of the world’s clear energy,” stated Ian L. Edwards, president and CEO of AtkinsRéalis. “CANDU know-how is on the forefront of related, updated and differentiated nuclear applied sciences on the planet. We’re honored to assist energy Romania nicely into the tip of the twenty first century with these model new CANDU reactors. I wish to thank the Authorities of Canada who helped make this contract attainable by export financing assist of $3 billion. This additionally represents our first step in our enlargement world wide as we purpose to promote many extra reactors.”
“Canada is proud to face on the forefront of the worldwide clear power transition, with CANDU nuclear know-how as a pillar of innovation and reliability,” stated Mary Ng, Minister of Export, Commerce & Financial Growth for Canada. “This collaboration in Romania highlights Canada’s management in nuclear power, offering clear, resilient options that improve power safety, cut back emissions, and assist financial progress. Via this partnership, we’re not solely creating good, high-paying jobs and advancing sustainable progress, however we’re additionally reinforcing Canada’s dedication to a low-carbon future and strengthening resilient provide chains for a greater world.”
AtkinsRéalis will assist EnergoNuclear meet European Union directives across the venture whereas working with the Nationwide Fee for Nuclear Actions Management, which is Romania’s nuclear energy regulator. The corporate stated the 2 new models are the primary CANDU new-builds on the planet since Cernavoda’s Unit 2 nuclear reactor got here on-line in 2007.
EnergoNuclear will function Items 3 and 4 at Cernavoda. The preliminary section of the venture represents an funding of $224 million. After completion of the preliminary section, EnergoNuclear has the choice to concern a full discover to proceed with the providers essential to finish the brand new models, topic to the settlement of business phrases, in accordance with the businesses.
Cosmin Ghita, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, a partly state-owned Romanian nuclear power firm, in a press release touted “28 years of fantastic operation of Cernavoda NPP Items 1 and a couple of, excellent security file, 230 million MWh into the grid and 215 million tons of CO2 prevented are the deserves of CANDU know-how and human experience. We’re eager on extending the historic cooperation with AtkinsRéalis, for the deployment of Items 3 and 4 and supply Romania with long-term protected, dependable and clear power.
Ghita continued: “Nuclear power is a serious a part of the worldwide effort for deep decarbonization and by extending CANDU nuclear capacities in Romania, we purpose to show that power safety, power availability and power resilience along with 66% of Romania’s clear power can effectively be offered by a single power supply, nuclear, based mostly on years of expertise, strategic partnerships and sturdy know-how.”
Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of Vitality and Electrification, stated, “Ontario is proud to steer in nuclear power, offering clear, dependable, and reasonably priced energy whereas positioning our province as a world chief on this essential sector. By exporting our nuclear experience worldwide, we’re showcasing Ontario’s innovation and dedication to an reasonably priced power future. Whereas we refurbish and broaden nuclear fleets world wide, we’re bringing jobs and funding again dwelling for Ontario households and employees.”
Officers stated the two-unit enlargement at Cernavoda will assist Romania’s technique to turn out to be a regional hub for power safety and clear electrical energy in Japanese Europe with the assist of Canadian know-how.
“Canadian CANDU know-how has served Romania nicely and is the suitable selection for the subsequent 60 years,” stated Joe St. Julian, president, Nuclear, for AtkinsRéalis. “The final seven CANDU reactors constructed world wide, and the continuing life extension of 10 CANDU reactors in Ontario, have been performed on time and on finances. We’ll make use of our unmatched nuclear energy know-how because the steward of this know-how, to make sure a equally profitable consequence for the construct of those two new models in Romania.”
—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine).
