Mar 3, 2026
SRS to build research facilities for Romanian reactors.
Newcleo's subsidiary, SRS Servizi di Ricerche e Sviluppo, has been engaged by RATEN, the Romanian state-owned nuclear R&D coordination organization, to provide research facilities for lead-cooled nuclear reactors.
The contract, valued at EUR36 million (USD42 million), includes the design, supply, and commissioning of several facilities, including a liquid lead loop-type facility (HELENA-2), a liquid lead pool-type facility (ELF), and confined modules to study interactions between liquid lead and both irradiated and non-irradiated fuels during accidents. ENEA, Italy's national agency for new technologies, energy, and sustainable economic development, which has previously collaborated with SRS, will be a subcontractor. SRS is expected to complete the project by the end of 2028.
RATEN will own the new facilities, which will be used to examine thermal-hydraulic behavior, materials performance, and component qualification in liquid lead systems. These facilities will be constructed at RATEN's Mioveni site in Romania and will help advance the country’s efforts in developing lead-cooled fast reactor technology, enhancing Romania's involvement in next-generation nuclear systems.
This project, funded by the European Union, is part of a broader initiative to promote the ALFRED (Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator) project in Romania.
A demonstration unit of ALFRED, with a capacity of 300 MWt, is set to be built at the Nuclear Research Institute's facility in Mioveni, located near Pitesti in southern Romania, where a fuel manufacturing plant supports the country’s two operating Candu reactors. ALFRED is expected to lead to an industrial demonstration unit of around 300-400 MWe, utilizing mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel and operating at approximately 550°C, incorporating passive safety systems. The total estimated cost of the project is around EUR1 billion.
"This contract further enhances Newcleo's EPC offerings, reflecting the group's expertise and capability to manage complex nuclear projects," stated the France-based innovative reactor developer.
Established in 1976, SRS became part of the Newcleo Group in 2023 and specializes in the design, supply, and commissioning of advanced plants, particularly in the nuclear sector. In recent years, SRS has focused extensively on experimental facilities for lead-cooled fast reactor technologies.
"The vertical integration of key suppliers in the nuclear industry distinguishes Newcleo from its competitors," commented Stefano Buono, CEO and Founder of Newcleo. "We are not merely designing reactors conceptually; we are creating tangible infrastructure that adds value for our clients and investors. This contract highlights our capability to generate immediate revenue while continuing to advance our long-term reactor and fuel initiatives."
To bolster Newcleo's advanced reactor R&D program, SRS has recently finalized the installation of OTHELLO, a 2 MW loop-type lead test facility aimed at qualifying components and materials in lead-cooled environments. SRS is also working on the installation of PRECURSOR, a 10 MW pool-type non-nuclear test system, set for completion in 2026 at the ENEA Brasimone Research Centre near Bologna, Italy.
The contract, valued at EUR36 million (USD42 million), includes the design, supply, and commissioning of several facilities, including a liquid lead loop-type facility (HELENA-2), a liquid lead pool-type facility (ELF), and confined modules to study interactions between liquid lead and both irradiated and non-irradiated fuels during accidents. ENEA, Italy's national agency for new technologies, energy, and sustainable economic development, which has previously collaborated with SRS, will be a subcontractor. SRS is expected to complete the project by the end of 2028.
RATEN will own the new facilities, which will be used to examine thermal-hydraulic behavior, materials performance, and component qualification in liquid lead systems. These facilities will be constructed at RATEN's Mioveni site in Romania and will help advance the country’s efforts in developing lead-cooled fast reactor technology, enhancing Romania's involvement in next-generation nuclear systems.
This project, funded by the European Union, is part of a broader initiative to promote the ALFRED (Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator) project in Romania.
A demonstration unit of ALFRED, with a capacity of 300 MWt, is set to be built at the Nuclear Research Institute's facility in Mioveni, located near Pitesti in southern Romania, where a fuel manufacturing plant supports the country’s two operating Candu reactors. ALFRED is expected to lead to an industrial demonstration unit of around 300-400 MWe, utilizing mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel and operating at approximately 550°C, incorporating passive safety systems. The total estimated cost of the project is around EUR1 billion.
"This contract further enhances Newcleo's EPC offerings, reflecting the group's expertise and capability to manage complex nuclear projects," stated the France-based innovative reactor developer.
Established in 1976, SRS became part of the Newcleo Group in 2023 and specializes in the design, supply, and commissioning of advanced plants, particularly in the nuclear sector. In recent years, SRS has focused extensively on experimental facilities for lead-cooled fast reactor technologies.
"The vertical integration of key suppliers in the nuclear industry distinguishes Newcleo from its competitors," commented Stefano Buono, CEO and Founder of Newcleo. "We are not merely designing reactors conceptually; we are creating tangible infrastructure that adds value for our clients and investors. This contract highlights our capability to generate immediate revenue while continuing to advance our long-term reactor and fuel initiatives."
To bolster Newcleo's advanced reactor R&D program, SRS has recently finalized the installation of OTHELLO, a 2 MW loop-type lead test facility aimed at qualifying components and materials in lead-cooled environments. SRS is also working on the installation of PRECURSOR, a 10 MW pool-type non-nuclear test system, set for completion in 2026 at the ENEA Brasimone Research Centre near Bologna, Italy.