Korea, Romania discuss cooperation in nuclear, hydropower projects

Cernavoda nuclear power plant [Image source: Nuclearelectrica]

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) chief recently met the Romanian energy minister to discuss possible cooperation on the European country’s nuclear and hydropower projects, raising expectations for South Korea’s winning of the deals.

KHNP President and chief executive officer Whang Joo-ho and Romanian Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu met in Seoul on Wednesday for a closed-door meeting to discuss Romania’s projects of refurbishing Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant and building a new hydropower plant, sources told Maeil Business Newspaper Thursday.

The Romanian energy minister is visiting Korea this week as part of a mission led by Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca and South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (right). [Photo source: Yonhap]

The delegates are reported to be visiting Seoul to attract investment for its power plant projects. They were said to have also met with officials from the Export-Import Bank of Korea to discuss possible cooperation in the Cernavoda nuclear power plant refurbishment project and hydropower plant construction project.

KHNP joined a tender for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant’s unit 1 tritium removal facility project in June 2021. It is currently waiting for the bidding result from the second tender, ordered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In addition, KHNP and the Romanian government are said to be discussing possible cooperation in a hydropower plant project, which has been stalled due to the energy crisis caused by the protracted Russia-Ukraine war.

Romania signed a letter of intent on another project to build the Cernavoda nuclear power plant’s third and fourth units with the United States in November. However, the European country reportedly is reviewing a plan to have Korea be part of the project, according to local media outlets.

KHNP, however, said there has been no discussion in detail yet about those projects that are expected to be solely led by the U.S.