The Energocom company, 100% owned by the Republic of Moldova, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Romanian national company Nuclearelectrica in Cernavodă. The objective of the Memorandum is to explore options to ensure the delivery of energy produced by Nuclearelectrica from the new capacities to enter commercial operation, mainly units 3 and 4 of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, and to support the development of human resources capacities and skills in the field of nuclear energy.

Present at the ceremony, Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said that it is a document that will have an impact in the coming years, in the context of Moldova's goal to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050: "To reach our decarbonization target, we will need nuclear energy in our energy mix, which is climate neutral. The Republic of Moldova does not have the capacity to develop its own nuclear generation projects, but it can benefit from the special relationship with Romania and the fact that Romania intends to increase the amount of nuclear power produced. It is precisely in this context that we are examining the possibility for Moldova to participate as a co-investor to ensure secure, sustainable and competitively priced energy in the future," said Minister Victor Parlicov.

Minister Parlicov thanked Romania for helping the Republic of Moldova to take the first steps towards integration into the European energy market and to acquire energy resources from the West during the crisis.

"We are very pleased to start a new energy cooperation at Cernavodă, a strategic project our country is very proud of. Out of 400 nuclear reactors in the world, units 1 and 2 at Cernavodă are in the top 5 in the world in terms of efficiency and safety. I have great sympathy for the Republic of Moldova, and the investment plans for units 3 and 4 are one of the projects we can do together. It is rarer than politicians to sit down at a table and work on joint projects for 10-15 years ahead," said Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.

"Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant will be a pillar for the energy sector of both Romania and the Republic of Moldova, as well as for the decarbonization of the countries. Through the commercial commissioning of two more CANDU reactors and the small modular reactors project, Nuclearelectrica can contribute clean energy to Romania's energy security and simultaneously support the Republic of Moldova and other countries in the region. In 2031, Romania will have an installed nuclear power capacity of 3262 MW, resulting from the operation of units 1 and 2, the operation of units 3 and 4 at Cernavodă and the operation of the small modular reactors, which represents about 33% of the market share and about 66% of the total clean energy produced in Romania. Together with Energocom we are able to identify, at an early stage, efficient support solutions with the common goal of achieving energy security, energy independence and consumer protection in Moldova. We are also proud to contribute to the development of human resources, as development and innovation rely on highly qualified personnel", said Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica.

Energocom purchased electricity produced by Nuclearelectrica in the period from October 2022 to April 2023.

"Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant will be a pillar for the energy sector of both Romania and the Republic of Moldova, as well as for the decarbonization of the countries. Through the commercial commissioning of two more CANDU reactors and the small modular reactors project, Nuclearelectrica can contribute clean energy to Romania's energy security and simultaneously support the Republic of Moldova and other countries in the region. In 2031, Romania will have an installed nuclear power capacity of 3262 MW, resulting from the operation of units 1 and 2, the operation of units 3 and 4 at Cernavodă and the operation of the small modular reactors, which represents about 33% of the market share and about 66% of the total clean energy produced in Romania. Together with Energocom we are able to identify, at an early stage, efficient support solutions with the common goal of achieving energy security, energy independence and consumer protection in Moldova. We are also proud to contribute to the development of human resources, as development and innovation rely on highly qualified personnel", said Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica.

Energocom purchased electricity produced by Nuclearelectrica between October 2022 and April 2023.

Globally, nuclear energy covers 10% of total electricity needs and is expected to increase to around 17% in IEA member states. In the European Union, nuclear generates 50% of electricity without greenhouse gas emissions. According to a UNECE report, nuclear energy has avoided 74 Gt of CO2 emissions in the last 50 years.

Nuclearelectrica's investment projects are green investments and are aimed not only at achieving energy efficiency, but above all at energy security, energy independence and consumer protection.

About Nuclearelectrica

National Company "Nuclearelectrica" SA is the Romanian national company producing electricity, thermal energy and nuclear fuel, operating under the authority of the Ministry of Energy, with the Romanian State holding 82.49% of the shares and the other shareholders 17.50%, after the company was listed on the stock exchange in 2013.

The CNE Cernavoda branch operates two CANDU nuclear units, which are two of the best performing units among the more than 400 nuclear power plants in the world, a nuclear fuel fabrication plant and is in the process of realizing an integrated fuel cycle through the acquisition of a uranium concentrate processing line to support the company's long-term investment projects.

Nuclearelectrica plays a major role at national level, contributing more than 18% of nuclear energy to the total energy production and 33% to the total CO2-free energy production in Romania.