Moldova can become a co-investor in the construction of units III and IV of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania and receive cheaper electricity from there.
This is provided for by the Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by the Moldovan state company Energocom and the Romanian Nuclearelectrica to study the possible supply of electricity to Moldova from the nuclear power plant in Cernavoda. The Ministry of Energy of Moldova notes that Energocom is 100% owned by the state, while Nuclearelectrica is the national company of Romania. The purpose of the signed Memorandum is to explore options for ensuring the supply of electricity produced by Nuclearelectrica from new capacities to be put into commercial operation, mainly from Units III and IV of the Cernavoda NPP, as well as to support the development of human resources capabilities and skills in the field of nuclear energy. Moldovan Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov, who was present at the ceremony, noted that the effect of the signed document will be noticeable in the coming years, in the context of the fact that Moldova intends to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Achieving our goal of decarbonization will require nuclear energy in our energy mix, climate neutral. Moldova does not have the capacity to develop its own nuclear power projects, but it can benefit from a special relationship with Romania and the fact that Romania intends to increase nuclear power production. It is in this context that we are considering the possibility of Moldova's participation as a co-investor in order to ensure safe, sustainable energy at competitive prices in the future,” said Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov. He thanked Romania for helping Moldova take the first steps towards integration in the European energy market and purchasing energy resources from the West during the crisis. “We are very pleased to start a new cooperation in the field of energy in Cernavoda, this is a strategic project that our country is very proud of. Of the 400 nuclear reactors in the world, Cernavoda NPP Units I and II are among the top five in the world in terms of efficiency and safety. I am very sympathetic to Moldova, and the investment plans for the construction of power units III and IV are one of the projects that we can implement together,” said Romanian Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja. The Cernavoda nuclear power plant will be a pillar for the energy sectors of Romania and Moldova, as well as for the decarbonization of the two countries. By launching two more small modular reactors, Nuclearelectrica can contribute clean energy to the energy security of Romania and, at the same time, support Moldova and other countries in the region. We are also proud to contribute to the development of human resources, because development and innovation are based on highly qualified personnel,” said the CEO of Nuclearelectrica. 2023 Globally, nuclear power covers 10% of total electricity demand, and this share is expected to rise to around 17% in International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries. In the European Union, nuclear power produces 50% of electricity without greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past 50 years, the use of nuclear energy has reduced global CO2 emissions by about 74 Gt, according to a report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. //18.07.2023 – InfoMarket.
