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/)
President Klaus Iohannis recently approved the criminal prosecution of former prime minister Petre Roman and former deputy prime minister Gelu-Voican Voiculescu in the case targeting the June 1990 miners' riot (Mineriada), for crimes against humanity. The approved documents were forwarded to the Ministry of Justice. Petre Roman was the prime minister of Romania from December 1989 […]
The steppe peonies (Paeonia tenuifolia) at the Botanical Reserve at Zau de Câmpie in central Romania, the highest location in the world where this plant has adapted, have begun to bloom a bit earlier than usual due to the high temperatures. According to the custodian of the Zau de Câmpie Reserve, Ciprian Cenan, the first […]
The children's hospital built in Bucharest by local non-profit Dăruiește Viață with the support of more than 350,000 donors and 8,000 companies started treating the first patients. It took over the children previously hospitalized in the oncology, neurosurgery, surgery, and intensive care (ATI) departments of the Marie Curie Hospital's old building. The transfer was made […]
The mobile network Vodafone Romania has been certified "Best in test" for the third consecutive year by the independent benchmarking organization umlaut. Vodafone Romania achieved the highest overall score in the umlaut assessment – 915 points, which keeps it on the first place among the top mobile networks in the country. Moreover, the company received […]
Bucharest Opera Festival will return in June with an All Puccini Edition. No less than eight productions from the creation of the great composer, a semi-staged show, an opera gala, and ten theatres are part of this year's program. Bucharest Opera Festival – All Puccini Edition will be hosted by the National Opera House on […]
The Romanian Senate unanimously adopted, as the first chamber to be consulted, a government-initiated bill that regulates the attribution of judicial expenses in cases involving fugitives who have evaded criminal prosecution or trial. A number of people who have to stand trial in Romania avoid doing so by leaving the country, forcing authorities to track […]
