Romanian state-owned company Nuclearelectrica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its Moldovan counterpart, Energocom, inviting Moldova’s participation in the expansion of Romanian nuclear plant Cernavoda.
In 2014, the Romanian minister of energy at that time, Răzvan Nicolescu, invited Moldova to invest in the Romanian nuclear power plant, but talks had remained frozen for a long time after the proposal, reports Romania Insider.
Moldova has reached an agreement with Romania to become a co-investor in the construction of Units 3 and 4 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, as well as explore options for supplying electricity generated by the Romanian state-owned company Nuclearelectrica to Moldova. Now, Energocom and Nuclearelectrica signed a memorandum of understanding on July 18, as reported by Moldovan news outlet Newsmaker.
„This is a memorandum of cooperation through which we commit ourselves to participate in this process. The main intention is for Moldova, through Energocom, to become a co-investor in this project in Romania and, on the other hand, to ensure a certain volume of electricity for Moldova at a favorable price. At this stage, there is no specific amount of investment Moldova will make or a specific mechanism. However, it involves, among other things, the preparation of personnel, participation in discussions with other partners about this project”, said Viktor Parlikov, Minister of Energy, who participated in the signing of the MOA.
It should be noted that this is not the first time the Moldovan government intends to invest in the construction of nuclear facilities in Romania. In 1997, the Moldovan government wanted to explore the possibility of investing in the completion of the second unit at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. For this purpose, a government commission was even formed. However, in 2007, the second unit of the Romanian nuclear power plant was completed without Moldova’s involvement. In 2014, the Romania’s Minister of Energy at the time, Răzvan Nicolescu, once again proposed that Moldova invest in the Romanian nuclear power plant, this time for the completion of Units 3 and 4. However, this proposal did not receive a positive response from Moldova.
According to Cosmin Gîțe, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, „Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant will serve as a support for the energy sectors of both Romania and Moldova.” „Together with Energocom, we will be able to promptly find effective support solutions, with the sole purpose of achieving energy security, energy independence, and protecting consumer rights in Moldova”.
Energocom purchased electricity generated by Nuclearelectrica from October 2022 to April 2023.
