Back to NUKEBOOK Contents:
 

THE SITUATION IN ROMANIA

Reactors

Romania has one nuclear power plant (NPP) at Cernavoda, based on the river Danube, 150 km east of Bucharest. There is one 700 MW reactor of CANDU type that was commissioned in 1996 and a second unit is currently under construction. The original project consisted of the construction of five reactor units. The CANDU reactor was selected because of its ability to use natural uranium, mined in Romania.  Cernavoda NPP generates approximately 10% of the total electricity produced in the country.
 

Spent fuel storage facilities at Cernavoda NPP

 The spent fuel out of the reactor is stored in pools next to the reactor for at least 10 years’ period to decrease its radioactivity and temperature.  After that the spent fuel is planned to be stored in an interim dry storage facility, which is envisioned to be in operation before 2004. Geological and seismological researches are being carried out in order to identify a final repository for high-level radioactive waste.
 

Legislation and responsible authorities

Societatea Nationala “Nuclearelectrica” (SNN) was established in July 1998 as a result of important free market restructuring of the energy sector by the Government.  During this restructuring, the Romanian Electricity Authority (RENEL) was effectively divided into conventional and nuclear production companies, with a third entity being created to provide services in the nuclear field (Autonomous Company for Nuclear Activities).  SNN is the company responsible for operating the NPP at Cernavoda and further nuclear power development on site.  It is state-owned and reports to the Ministry of Industry. 
The Romanian nuclear regulative authority is CNCAN (Comisia Nationala Pentru Controlul Activitatii Nucleare).
 

Problems 

The problem with the management of the spent nuclear fuel out of Cernavoda NPP is a recent issue and the Romanian authorities and the population are not fully aware of it. The general trends in Europe show that the nuclear power does not belong in a future with European integration.  The Romanian Government and public should realize the need for implementation of energy efficiency measures and development of renewable energy sources in order to overcome the problems, arising out of the nuclear industry.  Moreover, the money needed for the construction of a second reactor at Cernavoda NPP site could be used for the rehabilitation of the existing hydro power plants in the country.