The NuScale technology has been licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with the 77MW model intended for the Doicesti project, meaning that Romania is ready to become a leader in safe and clean energy in Europe, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja announced on Friday.'The Ministry of Energy welcomes the announcement made by NuScale Power regarding the approval received from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the standard design of the 250 MWt (77 MWe) small modular reactor (SMR), intended to be used in the Romanian project. The NRC is considered the world's most rigorous nuclear regulator, and the licensing model chosen by NuScale fully covers the design in use, unlike other technologies that opted for partial licensing,' the ministry said in a press release.This decision confirms that the technology developed by NuScale meets the world's highest nuclear safety standards and paves the way for the large-scale implementation of an advanced, scalable, and clean energy solution, the press release also reads.Through the pilot project in Doicesti, Romania could become the first country in the European Union to adopt this next-generation technology, strengthening its position as a regional leader in the energy transition and a strategic partner of the United States in nuclear energy.'The NRC's decision regarding NuScale's technology - the very technology that Romania plans to implement at Doicesti, a European first - represents more than just a technical validation. It is an international recognition of the strategic direction we are following and a clear signal that the energy future belongs to courageous, innovative and visionary countries. Thus, NuScale's 77MW reactor design becomes the most mature SMR technology in the world today. Romania is a pioneer in Europe's energy transition, demonstrating that we can be the first European nation to adopt, develop, and integrate small modular reactors into the national energy system by the 2029-2030 timeframe. These reactors will provide clean, safe, stable and affordable energy, with minimal carbon footprint and significant benefits for national energy security,' Minister Burduja is quoted in the release as saying.According to him, the Doicesti project means not just energy, but also industry, jobs, innovation, education and leadership.The SMR project in Doicesti is being developed in partnership with NuScale Power and supported by the United States Government through the Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). It is currently in the detailed design phase, with the final investment decision and potential start of construction expected in the first part of next year. These milestones will depend on several key variables such as financing, involved partners and the direct and indirect benefits for the national economy, according to the Ministry of Energy release
The fund Cultura Face Bine, a national funding mechanism for cultural projects backed by private-sector financing, will begin supporting local cultural organizations in 2026. The fund aims to support grassroots cultural initiatives with a proven impact in their communities and which need resources to continue, develop, or transform their activities. The funding mechanism has been […]
The European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday, December 11, that it is referring Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to meet obligations under Ambient Air Quality Directives. According to the Commission, Romania has not ensured that its national air quality monitoring network complies with legally required standards on […]
The Bucharest Court of Appeal (CAB) held an unprecedented press conference on Thursday, December 11, in response to allegations raised in a recent media investigation published by Recorder, with court president Liana Arsenie firmly rejecting the claims. However, at the start of the press event, a judge from within the institution publicly stated that the […]
Romania’s Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) issued its first response to the Recorder documentary alleging systemic manipulation within the justice system, calling the investigation an amplification of a “campaign to destabilize judicial authority.” The council said on Thursday, December 11, that it will evaluate what measures need to be taken following the report. In a […]
MedLife, Romania’s largest private medical services network, announced on Wednesday, December 10, that it reached a market capitalization of EUR 1 billion on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB). The milestone secures its position as “the most valuable healthcare company” in the country. The achievement came nine years after MedLife’s listing on BVB in December 2016, […]
The Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark in Romania has become a “living laboratory” this week as a team of American researchers arrived to study microorganisms capable of surviving in extreme environments. The scientists, part of the interdisciplinary research organisation The Two Frontiers Project, are examining methane seeps, sulfur and petroleum springs, saline sources, and other […]
