(Finance) – Support the strengthening of activities related to the production of nuclear energy in Romaniain particular those linked to the life extension of Unit 1 of the Cernavoda power plant and the development of Units 3 and 4: this is the heart of the Memorandum of Understanding signed today between the Italian insurance-financial group SACE, Ansaldo Nucleare and the Romanian nuclear energy company Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN) which aims to structure a financing line up to 2 billion euroswith the insurance support of SACE, for the execution of these works.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMIT), in the presence of the Minister Adolfo Ursus and the Romanian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Stefan-Radu Oprea.
Currently at the headquarters of Cernavoda two type units are operational CANDU 6 (each with 700 MWe of power) which came into operation in 1996 and 2007 respectively and which together provide approximately 20% of the country’s energy needs. Ansaldo Nucleare actively participated in the construction of the two units, designed for an operating cycle of 30 years. At the end of 2026, Unit 1 will reach this milestone: for this reason SNN has started a reconditioning process.
Ansaldo Nucleare will be responsible for the activities of engineering And supplying of components for prolonging the life of Unit 1 in collaboration with the Canadian company Candu Energy Inc. (AtkinsRéalis) and the Korean KHNPwho will respectively deal with the nuclear island and construction activities as set out in the agreement signed for the establishment of the Consortium.
In parallel, SNN intends to complete Units 3 and 4 of the same power plant: as these two new units are based on the design of Unit 2, also in this case Ansaldo Nucleare would see its involvement reconfirmed as the original designer of the Balance of Planti.e. that part of the plant’s systems that allow the transformation of the energy deriving from nuclear fission into electrical energy.
In continuity with the support provided upon completion of the first two units, Italy renews its support for the Romanian nuclear program. This agreement, which is part of a long and fruitful collaboration between the parties, represents a significant opportunity for the entire Ansaldo Energia Group.
Furthermore, Ansaldo Nucleare consolidates its presence and its role in Romania by involving the entire Italian nuclear supply chain in this strategic project. Precisely in this context, the company will shortly organize a Supply Chain Day involving the Italian companies interested in the project, with the aim, as happened in the past, of supporting access to the Romanian market by Italian companies with expertise in the sector, supporting Italy’s industrial competitiveness. This also in view of possible new developments on nuclear programs at national and international level.
The hiring campaign just launched and the important prospects of the nuclear market represent a fundamental step for the continuous development of Ansaldo Nucleare and the Ansaldo Energia Group as a technological and industrial point of reference in the sector.