Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 to undergo modernization

ABB has been selected by engineering contractor Ansaldo Nucleare to modernize the control and safety systems at Unit 1 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant in Romania. The project is part of a broader effort by operator Nuclearelectrica to extend the unit's operational life by an additional 30 years.

The modernization will involve replacing existing infrastructure with a new distributed control system, an emergency shutdown system, and cyber-security solutions. This work is intended to improve operational reliability and support long-term performance. The larger life-extension project also includes a retubing process to replace pressure tubes within the CANDU-6 reactor system.

Unit 1 has been in operation since 1996 and provides a significant portion of Romania’s electricity. The new operational cycle for the unit is expected to begin around 2030 following the completion of the engineering and testing required to integrate the new systems.