Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. Prime Minister Ciuca met with John Hopkins, president...

Prime Minister Ciuca met with John Hopkins, president and CEO of US company NuScale

July 21, 2022

  Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said that up-and-coming nuclear and natural gas projects capitalize on Romania's potential to become a regional energy hub. The statement comes as the Premier met on Thursday with John Hopkins, president and CEO of US company NuScale, which will develop in Romania the small modular reactors (SMR) technology for the production of nuclear energy."The inclusion of nuclear energy in the European Union's taxonomy on sustainable financing is a viable solution for achieving Romania's energy independence and decarbonization goals. By further developing nuclear and natural gas projects we will capitalize on our country's potential to become an energy hub in the region, we will develop the industry and create new jobs," the Prime Minister said in a statement issued by the government's Press Office.The talks highlighted the importance of the Global Infrastructure Partnership initiative launched at the G7 Summit, and the allocation by NuScale of a $14 million grant for a new phase of the SMR development program in Romania."The Prime Minister mentioned that, through the Nuclearelectrica National Corporation, Romania will contribute 9 million dollars to the co-financing of this new stage of the program, considering Romania's target of reinforcing its energy profile, in accordance with the European environmental protection vision and the pledged decarbonisation targets. The Prime Minister also welcomed the opening of a facility in Doicesti, Dambovita County, to support the SMR and the partnership with the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, for the development of a NuScale Energy Exploration Center supporting workforce capacity building, that should provide nuclear experts, technicians and operators in Romania," the cited source mentions.Nicolae Ciuca specified that the government will continue to support the projects for the construction of Cernavoda Reactors 3 and 4, as well as investments in renewable energy, stressing that the diversification of energy resources and routes is "paramount for ensuring Romania's energy stability and independence"."The fact that the SMR technology developed by the American company NuScale complies with the highest nuclear safety standards is extremely important in the context where nuclear energy is a fundamental pillar through which we can obtain clean energy at affordable costs for the Romanian citizens and the national economy," Nicolae Ciuca states.

Read in full - click here
Romanian carmaker Dacia reportedly envisages reducing production

The union at the Automobile Dacia automobile factory in Mioveni expressed concern about the administration's proposal to reduce production, starting in January 2026. The production is reportedly planned to be reduced to 55 units per hour, from 65 units currently, according to the company's employees speaking for Europa FM, as reported by

Romania may waive turnover tax, says PM Bolojan

Romanian prime minister Ilie Bolojan announced on November 21 that a decision will be taken in December regarding the minimum turnover tax (IMCA) applied to companies with a turnover of EUR 50 million or more, whose 16% profit tax falls below 1% of turnover, Economica.net...

Romania says it is protecting Romgaz's participation in Lukoil-operated offshore perimeter Trident

Prime minister Ilie Bolojan, in a press conference on November 21, said that Romania took steps to protect the interests of state company Romgaz, which holds 12.2% in the Trident Black Sea offshore perimeter operated by Russia's Lukoil. He said that the authorities in Bucharest "collaborated" with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within […]

KazMunayGas reportedly plans to divest 50% of its European assets, including Romanian

Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company, KazMunayGas, is set to partially divest its European assets, which include KMG International (KMGI, formerly Rompetrol Group) with Romania's largest refinery, Petromidia (4.8 million tonnes refining capacity), in its portfolio. KazMunayGas plans to sell up to 50% of its European holdings, according to

Romania's public debt up EUR 6 bln m/m to 58.9% of GDP at end-July

Romania's public debt increased by RON 30.3 billion (EUR 6 billion) in July after the new government of prime minister Ilie Bolojan returned to the international market following a period of absence due to the political turmoil caused by the presidential elections and the formation of a new ruling majority.  Romania's public debt hit RON […]

Romania’s Environment Ministry moves to criminalize illegal tree cutting in urban green spaces

The Romanian Environment Ministry has proposed new legislation that would make the illegal cutting of trees in urban green spaces a criminal offense punishable by prison. The move aims to close what officials describe as a legal loophole that has hindered environmental protection in cities. The draft emergency ordinance