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Government committed to grant support mechanisms for reactors 3, 4 of Cernavoda plant
The Government approved at the beginning of this year a support letter that certifies the fact that the project for reactors 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda nuclear plant is a priority strategic project for Romania and that it can be implemented only with the support of the state, said, on Thursday, Daniela Lulache, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, the state-owned company administrating nuclear energy, during a conference on the topic of Romania's nuclear program.
"We have a negotiation procedure with the Chinese partner that is taking place. I can swear that they are taking place. Half of our effective time is allotted to this project. We are involved in a negotiation commission, and state representatives are also in this negotiation commission. We are negotiating everyday and we are advancing this project, that is now in its latter stages," Lulache said.
She showed that the letter also contains the support mechanisms that can be used for this project.
"The Government has issued a support letter, as part of this entire mechanism and it mainly says the following: Romania is aware that this project can develop only with the involvement and the support of the Romanian state, the Romanian state considers this project to be a priority strategic project and describes a series of support mechanisms that it will analyze and grant for the development of the project. These mechanisms of support include the implementing of the contract for difference mechanism, and, eventually, a series of fiscal facilities, state guarantees for the project's financing," the Nuclearelectrica official mentioned.
Lulache also said that part of these support mechanisms are in fact state aid and must be approved by the European Commission.
"Obviously, all these mechanisms will be ensured in certain conditions. For example, for the implementation of the contract for difference mechanism, we are aware that we will have to go through a process of negotiation and analysis with the European Commission and that this mechanism must face many tests, including that of state aid. Even so, their granting is conditioned by the successful completion of these steps," Lulache added.
According to her, the support letter was approved by memorandum and represents an addendum to the understanding memorandum signed by Nuclearelectrica and Chinese Company China General Nuclear Power Corporation.
Lulache also said that Energonuclear, the company managing the project of reactors 3 and 4 until now, will merge with the new company managing the project.
On November 9, 2015, representatives of Nuclearelectrica and China General Nuclear Power Corporation signed an Understanding Memorandum regarding the development, construction and decommissioning of units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda Nuclear-Electric Plant.