Doicești SMR project costs rise to $6.5 billion amid procedural concerns

A report from the Prime Minister's Control Body has revealed significant cost increases and procedural irregularities regarding the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project in Doicești, managed by Nuclearelectrica SA. As of December 2025, the project's estimated cost rose to $6.5 billion, representing an increase of approximately $3.8 billion over the initial estimate.

The report highlights several critical issues, including a 20-month delay in the FEED 2 stage. It also notes that the Doicești site was selected despite being ranked second in a technical and economic evaluation by consultant Sargent & Lundy, with the decision reportedly made based on general arguments rather than a comparative analysis of advantages and disadvantages.

Furthermore, the investigation found that the formation of the project company, Ropower Nuclear, and its partnership with Nova Power & Gas occurred without approved association procedures at Nuclearelectrica or prior evaluation regarding European public intervention norms. The report suggests that the conduct of Nuclearelectrica's leadership and the Ministry of Energy may have placed the state company in a disadvantageous or burdensome position relative to its private partner.