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Romania, first country in Europe and second worldwide to implement SMR technology
Romania is the first country in Europe and the second in the world to implement SMR technology, said rector of the Politehnica Bucuresti National University of Science and Technology Mihnea Costoiu, who added that by the end of 2030 the industry will need about 20,000 employees for the entire nuclear program in Romania.
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Reta Jo Lewis visited the E2 Center at the Politehnica Bucuresti National University of Science and Technology.
The first E2 Centre in Europe was installed at the Faculty of Energetics, part of the U.S. Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program. The visit took place in the context of the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Romania in the field of nuclear energy and cooperation for the implementation of SMR technology with multiple benefits for decarbonization, energy security and access to clean and safe energy.
Mihnea Costoiu, rector of the Politehnica Bucuresti National University of Science and Technology, brought to mind that for over 50 years Politehnica Bucuresti has been training engineers in high quality nuclear area.
"Romania is the first country in Europe and the second in the world, after America, to implement this SMR technology and our center supports Romania to train future SMR operators and training hub in the region, with the support of Nuclearelectrica, Nuscale and the U.S. government," Mihnea Costoiu said.
John Kerry praised the long history and size of the Politehnica Bucuresti (Polytechnic University) and was pleased to see that a large number of young people are studying here.
I want to remember why we are, why this is such a critical time in human history and not enough people are focused on the realities of the challenge we face today. (...) This is one of the most critical times for humans since humans have been on the planet, said the U.S. official, who drew attention to global pollution and climate change, with increasing negative effects on the ecosystem.
He praised the visit to the E2 Center at the Politehnica Bucuresti National University of Science and Technology as a wonderful one, as the simulator at the center is the first of its kind outside the United States that will play a vital role in Romania's transition to clean energy and will help educate the next generation of engineers and how they will safely operate nuclear power.
John Kerry sees Romania as a center of nuclear education and training for the region, adding that our country is already in a process of transformation, and SMR technology builds on Romania's more than a quarter century of experience in safe nuclear operation.
The event took place in the presence of Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja, Nuclearelectrica officials, numerous guests from Romania and abroad, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Bucharest, state authorities, parliamentarians, and companies in the area.
Romania is the first country in Europe to build a nuclear power plant, using small modular nuclear reactors. On May 12, 2023, the first control room simulator was inaugurated at Politehnica Bucuresti, following a partnership with the U.S. government and Nuclearelectrica.
(Photo:https://ro.usembassy.gov/)