Nuclearelectrica CEO Cosmin Ghiță to resign amid SMR project concerns

Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Romania’s state-controlled nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica, has resigned from his position. His departure is set to take effect on October 2, 2026. Mihai Laurențiu Gioară, the current Director of Development and Participations Management, will assume the role of acting CEO starting October 3.

Ghiță’s resignation follows a report from a government control body that identified shortcomings regarding the 462 MW Doicești small modular reactor (SMR) project. The project is being developed through RoPower Nuclear, a joint venture between Nuclearelectrica and Nova Power&Gas, utilizing US-based NuScale technology. The report highlighted issues including a 20-month delay and significant expenditures on studies and land acquisition. The control body recommended an analysis to determine the accountability of top executives.

While Nuclearelectrica has rejected the findings, stating that all decisions were made legally and in the company’s interest, the Ministry of Energy noted that Ghiță’s decision came in the context of a new professional opportunity. The company confirmed that operations at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant continue as usual.