EnergoNuclear, a fully owned subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica, and the FCSA joint venture—comprising Fluor, Candu Energy, Ansaldo Nucleare, S&L Engineers, and Sargent & Lundy Energie—have officially signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contract for the Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) phase of the Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 nuclear power plant project. The contract, valued at an estimated €3.2 billion, represents a major milestone in the development of Romania’s nuclear energy infrastructure.
The EPCM contract is structured in two phases: the LNTP phase, which is expected to last 24 to 30 months, and the Final Notice to Proceed (FNTP) phase, which will follow after the final investment decision and commercial terms are agreed upon. The FNTP phase is set to span 80 to 84 months. The contract encompasses a broad range of services, including design, engineering, procurement, technical assistance, and quality assurance, all leading up to the commissioning of the nuclear units.
Cosmin Ghita, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, highlighted that the signing of this contract is a pivotal step in advancing Romania’s strategic nuclear energy objectives. The completion of Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 will significantly contribute to the country’s energy security and its decarbonization goals. Once operational, the two units are expected to supply 66% of Romania’s clean energy needs through nuclear power, reinforcing the crucial role of nuclear energy in achieving total decarbonization.
The EPCM contract’s signing also sets the stage for transitioning to the FNTP phase, at which point the project’s feasibility will be reassessed, and the decision will be made regarding advancing to Stage III—construction of the nuclear units.
With the development of these two new nuclear units, Romania is projected to create approximately 19,000 indirect jobs. The share of nuclear energy in the country’s total electricity production is expected to rise to 33%, assuming a 2.1% annual increase in energy consumption. The completion of all four Cernavoda nuclear units will help prevent 20 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. Beyond enhancing energy stability and advancing decarbonization efforts, the project will also strengthen Romania’s domestic supply chain and foster economic growth.
