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Contract to build two new CANDU nuclear power plants in Romania awarded to Mississauga company

Pabio November 16, 2024

Contract to build two new CANDU nuclear power plants in Romania awarded to Mississauga company

Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania

A Mississauga company and its partners have been awarded a $224 million contract to begin construction of two new CANDU reactors in Romania, the first new CANDU reactors built in the world since the country’s Unit 2 nuclear reactors came online in 2007.

The new units, to be built by Mississauga-based Candu Energy, a subsidiary of Montreal-based AtkinsRéalis, and joint venture partners Fluor Corporation, Ansaldo Nucleare and Sargent & Lundy, will allow Romania to nearly double its clean and green.

“This is a game-changing contract for AtkinsRéalis and Romania,” said the company’s CEO, Ian Edwards. “CANDU technology is at the forefront of relevant, up-to-date and differentiated nuclear technologies in the world. We are honored to help power Romania until the end of the 21st century with these brand new CANDU reactors.

Edwards noted that as the sole commercial licensee for Canada’s response to nuclear technology, AtkinsRéalis is “uniquely positioned” to contribute to the expansion of clean energy around the world, with the Romanian contract signaling a “new era” in the construction of large reactors. in response to the growing global demand for energy and the first steps of AtkinsRéalis in its expansion across the world.

“We aim to sell many more reactors.”

Candu Energy head office in Mississauga

The contract for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant was awarded by EnergoNuclear, the Romanian entity also responsible for the construction, commissioning and operation of Units 3 and 4 of the plant.

The initial first phase of the mandate is worth $224 million and after this initial phase, EnergoNuclear has the option to add the completion of Units 3 and 4 to the agreement.

The contract was made possible thanks to $3 billion in export financial support from the Canadian government.

“Canada is proud to be at the forefront of the global transition to clean energy, with CANDU nuclear technology as a pillar of innovation and reliability,” said Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of Energy. Export, Trade and Economic Development. “This collaboration in Romania highlights Canada’s leadership in nuclear energy, providing clean, resilient solutions that improve energy security, reduce emissions and support economic growth. Through this partnership, we are not only creating good, well-paying jobs and sustainable growth, but we are also strengthening Canada’s commitment to a low-carbon future and resilient supply chains for a better world.

AtkinsRéalis and Candu Energy will provide design, engineering and procurement services, as well as support to EnergoNuclear to comply with European Union directives and Romanian nuclear energy regulations during construction.

“We want to extend the historic cooperation with AtkinsRéalis… to provide Romania with safe, reliable and clean energy in the long term,” said Cosmin Ghita, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, a majority state-owned company and operator of the Cernavoda plant. “Nuclear energy is an important part of the global deep decarbonization effort and by expanding CANDU nuclear capabilities in Romania, we aim to prove that energy security, energy availability and energy resilience, as well as 66 percent of Romania’s clean energy, can be efficiently supplied by a single energy source, nuclear.

Cernavoda’s Unit 2 CANDU reactor holds the world record for the highest capacity factor (composed of reliability and uptime) of any nuclear reactor.

Ontario Energy Minister Steven Lecce and former Minister Todd Smith in Romania earlier this year

While Candu Energy and most of its staff are based in Mississauga, Ontario Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce said the province is “proud to lead” in nuclear power generation. “By exporting our nuclear expertise around the world, we are showcasing Ontario’s innovation and commitment to an affordable energy future.

The project is also expected to unlock Romania’s potential by becoming a regional hub for energy security and clean electricity in Eastern Europe with the support of Canadian technology. The unique ability of CANDU reactors to use unenriched uranium provides an additional layer of energy security, bypassing foreign fuel enrichment.

“Canadian CANDU technology has served Romania well and is the right choice for the next 60 years,” said Joe St. Julian, President of Candu Energy. “The last seven CANDU reactors built worldwide and the ongoing life extension of 10 CANDU reactors in Ontario were completed on time and on budget. We will use our unrivaled know-how in nuclear energy as the manager of this technology, to ensure an equally successful outcome for the construction of these two new units in Romania.

Laurentis Energy, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, which produces half of the world’s supply of life-saving medical-grade isotopes at the Bruce and Pickering nuclear power stations (with plans for Darlington as well), will also be among the companies (along with AtkinsRéalis ) hired to renovate unit 1 of Cernavoda in Romania.