Romania has invested over 240 million euros into the small modular reactor project at Doicești through the state-owned company Nuclearelectrica, according to data provided to HotNews by the Ministry of Energy, the primary shareholder. The ambitious nuclear initiative, developed alongside American firm NuScale, has faced escalating costs and friction over technology transfers, sparking a public debate over national energy strategy and diplomatic relations with the United States.
Escalating Project Costs and Financial Breakdown at Doicești
Originally evaluated between 2 and 3 billion euros, the Doicești SMR project now faces projected completion costs reaching 6 to 7 billion euros due to innovative technology demands and pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions, as noted by Romanian officials. Of the 240 million euros spent thus far by Nuclearelectrica, 24 million euros covered land acquisition costs, with the remainder primarily directed toward feasibility studies. Cosmin Ghiță, director of Nuclearelectrica, acknowledged that the Romanian state has absorbed a significantly higher financial burden than its private partner during the developmental stages.
Political Friction and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s Assessment
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan publicly classified the investment as a “black hole” and informed the U.S. Bolojan placed the initiative on a list of state actions where public funds have been mishandled, warning that Romania risks being left with little more than “a piece of land and some paperwork.” In contrast, Romania’s Ambassador to Washington, Andrei Muraru, defended the strategic necessity of the project while conceding that the prime minister’s blunt denunciation was handled in an “inabil” (unskillful) manner that generated negative reactions in the United States.
Diplomatic Tensions and Technology Transfer Hurdles
Ambassador Muraru highlighted a core structural issue: the reluctance of NuScale to permit technology transfers and establish a joint venture for regional operations. Comparing Romania’s trajectory to Poland’s energy sector—where Polish firm Orlen forged a joint venture with General Electric and Hitachi to secure exclusivity across nine Central and Eastern European countries—Muraru pointed out that Nuclearelectrica failed to secure similar terms from the outset. Despite these missteps and a critical report from the Prime Minister’s Control Body, Muraru insisted the project should not be abandoned entirely, suggesting it could proceed under a modified framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money has Romania spent on the Doicești SMR project?
According to Ministry of Energy data provided to HotNews, Nuclearelectrica has invested over 240 million euros, which includes 24 million euros for the land and the rest primarily for studies.
What is the estimated total cost to build the plant?
Romanian officials estimate that completing the functional small modular reactor project will cost between 6 and 7 billion euros, significantly higher than initial 2 to 3 billion euro estimates.
Why is the project facing criticism from Romanian leadership?
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan criticized the spending as mismanaged state expenditure, pointing out that significant funds were consumed by paperwork without securing the expected manufacturing and operational partnerships.
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