Romania’s economy ministry has asked state-owned power producer Nuclearelectrica to end negotiations with China General Nuclear (CGN) about the construction of two reactors at its plant on the river Danube, the company said. Nuclearelectrica has two 706 megawatt reactors, which account for roughly a fifth of Romania’s power production, and wants to add two more. CGN filed a non-binding bid to partner with Romania in the project in 2014, but negotiations, which included price guarantees, have advanced very slowly. The firm will make the decision at a shareholders’ meeting on June 12 following the ministry’s request to “initiate the procedures regarding the ceasing of negotiations with CGN, as well as the ceasing of the legal effects,” it said. Western governments have grown increasingly concerned about possible security threats posed by investments made by Chinese firms in their economies, including telecoms and nuclear power.
Reuters 28th May 2020 read more »
Euractiv 27th May 2020 read more »
Liberal prime minister Ludovic Orban announced in January that the Government would exit the deal with its Chinese partner. He invoked the European Union’s Green Deal rather than security issues or cost concerns circulated previously as the main reason behind a potential end of the deal with CGN to expand Romania’s only nuclear power plant.
Romania Insider 27th May 2020 read more »