Concrete pouring for the first phase of the Cernavoda refurbishment project is finished.

Romania's Nuclearelectrica has announced that it has finished pouring concrete for the foundation of the Intermediate Radioactive Waste Storage Facility, which is part of the refurbishment project for Cernavoda unit 1.

Approximately 3,470 cubic meters of concrete were used for the foundation, equating to around 380 concrete mixer truck loads. This operation was deemed the most complex since the construction of unit 2.

The new waste facility is intended for the management, processing, and temporary storage of waste generated from the refurbishment of unit 1 and the long-term operation of both units at the plant.

Cosmin Ghita, the General Manager of Nuclearelectrica, stated, "The initial concrete pouring for the infrastructure needed for the refurbishment of unit 1 is as significant as that of the first concrete during unit 1's construction. After 30 years of high nuclear safety standards and excellent performance in capacity factor, unit 1 will continue operating for an additional 30 years starting in 2030 thanks to the refurbishment program. This means another 30 years of energy security, producing 5 million MW annually and avoiding 5 million tons of CO2 each year - it’s a strategic project for Romania's energy future."

Cernavoda is Romania's sole nuclear power plant, consisting of two Candu reactors, each with a capacity of 650 MWe. Unit 1 began commercial operation in 1996, followed by unit 2 in 2007.

The refurbishment project for unit 1 commenced in 2017 and is currently in the second of three preparation phases. The third and final phase is set to begin in 2027, during which unit 1 will be shut down for refurbishment.

Background

Candu reactors are pressurized heavy water reactors designed for 30 years of operation, with the possibility of an additional 30 years through refurbishment. This process includes replacing essential reactor components such as steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and feeder tubes. It entails the removal of all reactor fuel and heavy water, isolating it from the rest of the facility before dismantling. Thousands of components, including those inaccessible during assembly, are inspected, and the entire set of 480 fuel channels and 960 feeder tubes is replaced during the high-precision rebuild.

In December 2024, Nuclearelectrica signed a contract for engineering, procurement, and construction for the refurbishment, estimated at EUR 1.9 billion (USD 1.97 billion), with a consortium that includes Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, AtkinsRealis’s Candu Energy, Canadian Commercial Corporation, and Ansaldo Nucleare.

Civil construction work is set to commence in September 2025 after receiving approval from Romania's nuclear regulator (CNCAN) for the Intermediate Radioactive Waste Repository. The expansion of intermediate storage capacity for low and medium radioactive waste is essential for the long-term operation of the plant.