Nita declined to disclose any names and said the authorities are waiting for more offers before starting negotiations.
“We must be very thorough,” Nita told the ZF Power Summit ’13 event in Bucharest.
Romania’s nuclear power project in Cernavoda, valued at EUR4 billlion, was initially scheduled to kick off in 2010, but was sidetracked due to lack of funds after four of the initial investors withdrew, citing economic and market uncertainties.
The state owns 84.65% in EnergoNuclear, a joint venture set up to build the additional reactors. Italian utility Enel and ArcelorMittal Romania hold 9.15% and 6.2% in the joint venture, respectively.
Wednesday, Enel said it was waiting on a decision from the Romanian authorities regarding the project in Cernavoda.
“We are not leaving the project, but right now it’s unclear whether it will continue or not,” said Luca D’Agnese, the head of Enel Romania.
Another key energy project for Romania, namely the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) project in the natural gas sector, has been delayed by the authorities in Azerbaijan, the energy minister said.
“I feel that the project is somewhat stalling, and it’s not our fault,” Nita said.
AGRI is a proposed project to transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Romania, via Georgia. The project is estimated at EUR1.2 billion to EUR4.5 billion, depending on the final transport capacity.
Nita said Romania’s natural gas interconnection projects with Hungary, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova should be completed this year.