This interview was published in Sustainability Index Magazine 2023.
Nuclearelectrica on the benefits of nuclear energy and current projects
In 2022, Nuclearelectrica announced a strategic partnership for the development of the first small modular reactor (SMR) in Romania, in Doicești, Dâmbovița county. The reactor built by the American company NuScale received the approval of the US Regulatory Commission in 2020 and is the most mature SMR technology on the market.
In the discussion with Cosmin Ghiță, CEO Nuclearelectrica, we learn about the strategic importance of the SMR project for positioning Romania as a future leader in the production and assembly of SMR components and in the training of specialists in the field. We also review the benefits of nuclear energy and its contribution to Romania’s energy mix, as well as other ongoing Nuclearelectrica projects.
1. In 2021 you launched a new mission: „Building a sustainable future for tomorrow’s generation”. What role did the company assume in this new context and what innovations did it bring at the operational level?
The company’s vision includes 3 major action coordinates:
• The re-energization of Romania through clean energy, up to 66% after 2031, through the three strategic energy projects in different stages of development: Refurbishment of Unit 1, Units 3 and 4 Project, and the Small Modular Reactors Project;
• “Nucleus of Excellence”, the human resources platform dedicated to the growth of a generation of specialists, oriented towards attracting and developing a unique career for young people in Romania;
• “Nucleus of care”, a platform through which we provide support for development in three strategic areas: education, health, and environmental protection.
Together, these directions have the role of building a sustainable future for tomorrow’s generation. It is the DNA of the nuclear industry, the intrinsic value of an industry in full development program.
2. In what way has nuclear technology advanced in Romania in recent years?
The nuclear industry’s innovative answer to the needs of the system, energy security, complementarity with renewable sources, advanced nuclear safety and flexibility is the small modular reactor (SMR).
Currently, there are more than 10 SMR projects announced in Europe and North America (US, Canada, UK, France, Romania, Poland, etc.) with estimated commissioning by 2035 and more than 70 SMR technologies in development worldwide.
The NuScale technology, the one that Romania will implement, is the most mature from the perspective of implementation. For Romania, the opportunity to be among the first countries to develop SMR technology comes with numerous benefits for the development of the local nuclear industry and the supply chain for the production/assembly of NuScale technology components to Central and Eastern European states.
With over 26 years of experience operating at the highest standards of excellence, Nuclearelectrica has the opportunity to become a regional NuScale technology operator, as well as a regional center of excellence in operational training. In this sense, we will implement a NuScale simulator at the Bucharest Polytechnic University and launch regional operational training programs.
3. What are the benefits of nuclear power in the context of climate and energy security objectives?
Among the benefits of nuclear energy, we list the following:
• It is available 24/7, regardless of weather conditions
• It is a clean, safe, resilient and affordable source of energy
• Globally, nuclear power covers 10% of total electricity needs
• Nuclear power generates 50% of electricity with low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• The nuclear industry in the EU supports 1 million jobs
• Globally, nuclear power prevents the release of 2 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to the production of 400 million cars
• It is competitive: nuclear power is one of the cheapest forms of energy
• It is essential to the decarbonation mix; renewable sources can have an effective impact only in conjunction with nuclear energy due to their intermittent nature
• It is essential to the energy mix of the future; the energy sector is the main source of CO2 emissions, and climate change experts recommend increasing low-CO2 sources from 30% to over 80% in 2050
• Nuclear energy saves raw material; by recycling fuel, primary resources are effectively managed, and by recycling uranium and MOX fuel, a 30% saving of raw material can be achieved; globally, 96% of spent fuel is recyclable (95% uranium, 1% plutonium)
• Nuclear energy protects health; there are no emissions of fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrates or phosphates into the atmosphere
4. What major projects have you developed lately?
The Refurbishment of Unit 1, the Project of Units 3 and 4 CNE Cernavodă, and the Project of Small Modular Reactors. The company’s strategic projects are, at the same time, a priority for Romania in relation to the need to increase energy production capacities without CO2 emissions, ensuring energy requirements and independence, and achieving decarbonisation targets, consumer protection, socio-economic development, supply chain development, and Romania’s positioning as a leader in the implementation of new nuclear technologies in the region.
5. In what way did you find useful the development of corporate governance as a coagulation factor and effective integration of all processes at the SNN level?
The implementation of corporate governance rules ensures a transparent decision-making process, based on clear and objective rules designed to lead both to internal coherence and accountability, but also to increasing the level of trust of all categories of stakeholders.
6. In 2022, you published your fourth sustainability report. What changes did the development of such a report produce in the company?
Nuclearelectrica’s management has a holistic approach to including ESG criteria in the company’s strategy and development plans. This holistic approach is derived at the level of the entire company and at the level of the company’s collaborators through the established processes, procedures, but especially through objectives that are derived from the general objectives of Nuclearelectrica down to the individual level through KPIs.
We have an ESG Working Committee, responsible for evaluating and developing ESG principles and measures for the company.
One of our values is sustainability and it is simultaneously a strategic direction of action. In everything we do, operation and production, internal development, investment projects, environmental management programs, assets, HR, code of ethics and anti-corruption policy, the goal is added value, development for the company and its shareholders, in order to ensure clean energy and energy security in Romania.