The US government committed $14 million for an engineering and design study that would provide the basis for deploying small modular reactors (SMR) for a new nuclear plant in Romania, euractiv.com informs. The Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study is expected to be completed in eight months, following an investment of $28 million, including contributions from Romanian nuclear power firm Nuclearelectrica and NuScale, the US company that provides the SMR technology. Romania selected the site of a former coal-fired power plant to host the first SMR power plant, and the study will provide key site-specific data – cost, construction, schedule, and licensing details – necessary for the deployment of NuScale’s reactors, the White House said on Sunday (26 June). At the 2021 UN Conference on Climate Change in Glasgow (COP26), US Climate Envoy John Kerry and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced their intent to deploy an SMR in Romania in partnership with US firm NuScale Power. “Nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, represent a critical tool in the fight against climate change and can also enhance energy security and boost economic prosperity. This is a strong step forward in support of Romania’s desire to deploy innovative, safe, and zero-emissions nuclear energy in partnership with the United States,” said Kerry. When fully implemented, this multi-billion-dollar effort will showcase the ability of advanced nuclear reactors to replace coal generation with clean, innovative nuclear energy while creating thousands of jobs and reaffirming the fact that climate change initiatives and sustainable economic growth go hand-in-hand, the US government said. “By partnering with the United States, Romania is also ensuring its investments in nuclear energy uphold the highest standards for nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation, while contributing to the consolidation of energy security in the region,” it added. President Klaus Iohannis congratulated the announcement of US president Joe Biden, on Twitter, on Sunday evening, regarding the financing design studies of small modular reactors (SMR) in Romania, specifying that ensuring energy security represents a common objective of the Romanian-American strategic partnership. Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca also saluted the US government’s announcement. “The development of the nuclear programme will boost economic growth, both by revitalising the supply chain and by positioning Romania as a regional leader in this industry,” said Ciuca. ( See also: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/26/remarks-by-president-biden-at-launch-of-the-partnership-for-global-infrastructure-and-investment/)
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 […]
