Contract to build two new CANDU nuclear plants in Romania awarded to Mississauga company

A Mississauga company and its partners have been awarded a $224-million contract to begin building two new CANDU reactors in Romania, the first new CANDU builds in the world since the country’s Unit 2 nuclear reactors came online in 2007.

The new units, which will be built by Candu Energy of Mississauga, a subsidiary of Montreal-based AtkinsRéalis, and joint venture partners Fluor Corporation, Ansaldo Nucleare and Sargent & Lundy, will allow Romania to nearly double its production of clean, green electricity.

“This is a game changing contract for AtkinsRéalis and Romania,” said company CEO Ian Edwards. “CANDU technology is at the forefront of relevant, up to date and differentiated nuclear technologies in the world. We are honoured to help power Romania well into the end of the 21st century with these brand new CANDU reactors.”

Edwards noted that as the sole commercial licensee of Canada’s answer to nuclear technology, AtkinsRéalis is “uniquely positioned” to contribute to the expansion of clean power to the world, with the Romanian contract signalling a “new era” in the construction of large reactors in response to the increasing global demand for energy and AtkinsRéalis’ first steps in its expansion around the world.

“We aim to sell many more reactors.”

Candu Energy’s Mississauga HQ

The contract at the Cernavoda Nuclear Generating Station was awarded by EnergoNuclear, the Romanian entity also responsible for construction, commissioning and operation of Units 3 & 4 at the plant.

The first phase of the mandate is worth $224 million and after that initial phase, EnergoNuclear has the option to add the completion of Units 3 and 4 to the contract.

The deal was made possible through $3 billion in export financing support from the Canadian government.

“Canada is proud to stand at the forefront of the global clean energy transition, with CANDU nuclear technology as a pillar of innovation and reliability,” said Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of Export, Trade & Economic Development. “This collaboration in Romania highlights Canada’s leadership in nuclear energy, providing clean, resilient solutions that enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and support economic growth. Through this partnership, we’re not only creating good, high-paying jobs and advancing sustainable growth, but we’re also reinforcing Canada’s commitment to a low-carbon future and strengthening resilient supply chains for a better world.”

AtkinsRéalis and Candu Energy will provide design, engineering, and procurement services, as well as support to EnergoNuclear to meet European Union directives and Romanian nuclear power regulations during the build.

“We are keen on extending the historic cooperation with AtkinsRéalis … to provide Romania with long-term safe, reliable and clean energy,” said Cosmin Ghita, the CEO of majority state-owned Nuclearelectrica, the operators of the Cernavoda plant. “Nuclear energy is a major part of the global effort for deep decarbonization and by extending CANDU nuclear capacities in Romania, we aim to prove that energy security, energy availability and energy resilience together with 66 per cent of Romania’s clean energy can efficiently be provided by a single energy source, nuclear.”

The Unit 2 CANDU reactor at Cernavoda holds the world record for highest capacity factor (composed of reliability and up-time) of any nuclear reactor.

Ontario Energy Minister Steven Lecce and former minister Todd Smith in Romania earlier this year

With Candu Energy and most of its staff based in Mississauga, Ontario Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce said the province is “proud to lead” in nuclear energy production. “By exporting our nuclear expertise worldwide, we’re showcasing Ontario’s innovation and commitment to an affordable energy future.”

The project is also expected to unlock Romania’s potential in becoming a regional hub for energy security and clean electricity in eastern Europe – with the support of Canadian technology. The unique ability of CANDU reactors to utilize unenriched uranium offers an additional layer of energy security, via bypassing foreign fuel enrichment.

“Canadian CANDU technology has served Romania well and is the right choice for the next 60 years,” said Candu Energy President Joe St. Julian. “The last seven CANDU reactors built around the world, and the ongoing life extension of 10 CANDU reactors in Ontario, have been conducted on time and on budget. We will employ our unmatched nuclear power know-how as the steward of this technology, to ensure a similarly successful outcome for the build of these two new units in Romania.”

Ontario Power Generation subsidiary Laurentis Energy, which produces half of the world’s supply of medical grade life-saving isotopes at nuclear plants at Bruce and Pickering (with plans for Darlington as well), will also be among the companies (along with AtkinsRéalis) contracted to refurbish Cernavoda’s Unit 1 in Romania.

Isotope production at nuclear plants at Pickering and Bruce