Virgil Popescu, the Minister of Energy, officially announced the implementation of a decision for the first time for Romania, and this is because we are talking about the decision to install in our country the first small modular nuclear reactor, developed by the American company NuScale.
Virgil Popescu talks below about what this partnership represents for Romania, but also what working meeting he had with Mario Nava, the general director of DG Reform, the purpose of the discussions based on the implementation of the plan for renewable energy in Romania in the coming years .
"Today together with US Charge d'Affairs David Muniz we signed the Work Plan regarding the development of the first NuScale Small Modular Reactor (SMR) in Romania." At the same time, during the Small Modular and Advanced Reactors Workshop Planning IV workshop organized in Bucharest by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).To
In partnership with the US Department of Commerce, Nuclearelectrica, NuScale and E-Infra signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the first small modular reactor (SMR) in Romania on the site of the former thermal power plant in Doicești, Dâmbovița county.
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a $1,2 million grant in early 2021 to Nuclearelectrica to conduct a study to identify and evaluate several sites in Romania, including existing coal-fired power plant sites that they could be replaced with small modular reactors. The study identified several suitable potential sites, including the site in Doicești, Dâmbovița, which was the designated location for the development of the first small modular reactor.
Today I had a working meeting with Mario Nava, Director General of DG REFORM, who was accompanied by Ramona Chiriac, head of the European Commission Representation in Romania, Amalia Coman – representative of DG REFORM in Romania and Cireșica Feyer – Deputy Head of the Labor Market Unit , education, health and social services and Country Coordinator for Romania in DG REFORM.
We have received assurances that we will have support and help for the implementation of the renewable energy plan, for the completion of the hydrogen strategy and for the implementation of REPOWER EU. Secretary of State Dan Drăgan, Elena Popescu and Ionuț Micu participated with me - directors of the Ministry of Energy."
