Speaking at the NucInfo’ Day seminar Wednesday, Vosganian said the Romanian Government rejoices full support for its nuclear power production program and, he added, it still hasn’t discarded the idea of building a new power plant, in central Romania, even if the country’s electricity consumption is on downward trend.
According to Vosganian, the nuclear power might secure Romania’s energy independence, it is “clean and relatively cheap,” and Romania has “both the necessary human resources,” and the “advanced technology” in this respect.
The minister stressed that, although the consumption and price of electricity have decreased, he is still confident that the country’s economic evolution will entail a higher consumption.
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.