Press release
PRE-SALTO assessment mission regarding the implementation of the project for retrofitting Unit 1 of NPP Cernavoda
Bucharest, February 21, 2020
In February 2020, upon the request of SN Nuclearelectrica SA (« SNN »), the International Agency for Atomic Energy « AIEA » conducted an international mission at NPP Cernavoda, PRE-SALTO, in order to assess the stage and the project of retrofitting Unit 1 CNE Cernavoda, as part of the support provided by AIEA in preparing the long-term safe operation of Unit 1 of NPP Cernavoda.
The goal of SNN requesting the AIEA assessment mission was an objective and independent assessment of the level of preparation and organization and of the programs related to the management of extending the lifecycle of Unit 1 of NPP Cernavoda by 30 years.
The international assessment team ascertained an efficient use of the programs related to the implementation of the first stage of the project, by complying with the time schedule and an efficient use of international experience in retrofitting projects implemented within other CANDU units, and recommended the continuous improvement of the long-term operational strategy and the permanent revision of the process correlated with the implementation of a comprehensive methodology regarding the structures and components of the long-term operation process.
« The goal of such an international mission of AIEA is to ensure that the Project for Retrofitting Unit 1 is implemented according to the highest AIEA standards and that we are permanently connected to international experience. It is an objective and efficient operational method, specific to the nuclear industry. We use international experience and objective assessments in order to manage an extremely rigorous project, on time and at the highest nuclear safety standards. The importance of retrofitting Unit 1, and implicitly its operation for another 30 years beyond its initial 30-year lifecycle, is a strategic goal both for SNN and for the energy system of Romania, besides the compliance with the environment targets assumed by Romania »-Cosmin Ghita, Director Chief Executive Officer.
We remind that retrofitting Unit 1 is a complex project, with a duration of approximately 9 years until the actual stoppage of Unit 1, a project which is implemented, according to Canadian practices, in 3 major stages:
Phase 1 – Defining the retrofitting project (2017-2021)
This phase is currently underway and will be completed with the approval of the Feasibility Study of the Project for Retrofitting Unit 1. After completing the drafting of the Feasibility Study, it will be submitted to the approval of the SNN shareholders.
Within phase 1, SNN contracted the support documentation that is necessary for drafting the Feasibility Study. One of the support documents that are necessary for preparing the Feasibility Study is “Assessing the technical state of structures, systems and components (SSC)” of Unit 1. This represents a complex activity, with a duration of approximately 1.5 – 2 years, in which both specialists of SNN and international experts with vast experience in assessing the state of the structures, systems and components of CANDU reactors will be involved.
Phase 2 – Preparing the implementation of the retrofitting project (2021-2026)
Phase 3 – Implementation of the retrofitting project, gradual planned stoppage for retrofitting. (2026-2028).
Cosmin Ghita
Chief Executive Officer
