Nuclearelectrica starts works on the tritium removal facility in Cernavoda nuclear power plant

Nuclearelectrica and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announce the start of works on the first tritium removal facility in Europe, located at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.

The tritium removal facility will remove tritium from the plant, leading to increased environmental protection, fully in line with Nuclearelectrica’s and Europe’s ESG objectives. Using an innovative Romanian technology, developed by the National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotope Technologies – ICSI Rm. Vâlcea, the Cernavoda Detritiation Facility (CTRF) will be the third largest in the world and the first in Europe and will offer Romania the opportunity to become a European centre for the production and export of tritium – the candidate fuel for future fusion reactors. Romania also has the opportunity to develop its supply chain and become a centre for the development and export of Romanian technology and know-how, using local plants and workforce.

The CTRF project, carried out by ICSI Rm. Vâlcea, uses the most advanced technology, CTRF including updated nuclear safety requirements for an industrial tritium removal facility, as set by the Romanian National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN).

“We are pleased to implement an innovative Romanian technology together with KHNP, a leading nuclear expert, to achieve a safe and reliable project. The tritium removal facility demonstrates Nuclearelectrica’s commitment to safe operations and environmental protection. This project underlines Romania’s leading role in the nuclear industry and contributes to national energy security,” said Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica.

“The groundbreaking ceremony of the CTRF is a very important milestone which signifies the execution of the project in earnest. KHNP, in collaboration with Nuclearelectrica, will successfully complete the CTRF. The facility will enhance environmental protection, while contributing to safe operation of the Cernavoda NPP and economic growth of the country as well. Going forward, I expect the nuclear industries between Romania and South Korea will have closer and stronger collaboration”, said Jooho Whang, CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP).

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Cernavoda NPP site, with the participation of Nuclearelectrica and KHNP teams, together with collaborators from the National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotope Technologies – ICSI Rm. Vâlcea.