Romanian Nuclearelectrica has selected Candu for the Cernavoda modernization project

A two-year, $65 million deal will see Candu Energy, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, carry out pre-project work to extend the life of Unit 1 of Romanian nuclear operator Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.

The work is expected to include long-term and front-end engineering services for the facility, which houses the two CANDU units that currently supply 20 percent of Romania’s electricity.

The renovation of the first 650-megawatt pressurized heavy-water reactors, which were commissioned in 1996, aims to extend their lives by another 30 years to 2060. The second unit entered commercial operation in 2007.

Provides engineering services

The companies said that specialized personnel from SNC-Lavalin’s Canadian nuclear operations will perform design and procurement work required for design changes and recommendations arising from the condition assessment, and will design the infrastructure and new buildings needed to support the reactor renovation activities.

SNC-Lavalin will partner with Ansaldo Nucleare, which will provide engineering services to balance plant activities. Other supporting organizations include Sargent, Lundy, CITON and GE Steam Power, which is expected to provide engineering services in connection with the Unit 1 renovation.

The first unit renovation project started in 2017 and is currently in the second phase of three phases. This phase, which will last from February 2022 to 2026, includes providing financial resources, negotiating and awarding engineering, procurement and construction contracts, evaluating, preparing and scheduling the activities to be implemented and obtaining all required permits and approvals. to start the project.

The third stage, scheduled for the period from 2027 to 2029, begins with the closure of the first unit and includes all the work required on it and its reset.

Cosmin Gita, CEO of Nuclear Electricity Company, explained that the renovation of Unit 1 is part of Nuclear Electricity Company’s commitment to contribute to recycling in Romania with clean, low-cost and 24/7 access. We are proud to draw on 26 years of nuclear experience with the highest safety standards. and productivity, work with leading international specialists and complete this strategic project for Romania’s energy security and decarbonization targets … to maintain high-quality jobs, as well as to create new ones.

Leading role

SNC-Lavalin has played a leading role in all CANDU reactor life extension projects to date, including projects in Canada, South Korea and Argentina.

In addition to end-of-life plans for the two existing units, Romania also hopes to complete the partially built Cernavoda Units 3 and 4. Most of the work on Units 3 and 4 – as well as Units 1 and 2, the CANDU-6 reactors – was done in 1980 before the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu’s government in 1989. The country also plans to construct small modular reactors.

Source: Nuclear World News