Romania's Energy Ministry Questions Justification for SMR Strategy Update

Romania's Ministry of Energy has expressed reservations about a proposal to initiate an evaluation for updating the strategy on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Cristian Bușoi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, explained the institution's stance during the Nuclearelectrica General Shareholders' Meeting on July 15.

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We considered that the request addressed to the AGOA is not justified.

Bușoi stated that the ministry considered the request to the General Shareholders' Meeting unjustified, citing a lack of sufficient data and supporting analysis. He emphasized that the proposal submitted did not concern an actual strategy modification but rather the initiation of steps to assess the possibility of an update. "In these conditions, in the absence of sufficient data, analyses, and supporting elements, we considered that the request addressed to the AGOA is not justified and properly addressed," Bușoi explained.

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In these conditions, in the absence of sufficient data, analyses, and supporting elements, we considered that the request addressed to the AGOA is not justified and properly addressed.

The ministry maintains that the responsibility for documenting and justifying such a move lies with Nuclearelectrica's executive management. Bușoi added that any potential proposal to update the strategy would only be approved by the Ministry of Energy after all necessary internal steps and a comprehensive assessment are completed. The Ministry of Energy is continuing to explore options for the SMR project's future in collaboration with American partners.

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The documentation, substantiation, and initiation of such a step fall under the responsibility of the Company's executive management, which has the obligation to undertake all necessary steps to evaluate the situation and protect the interests of the Company and its shareholders.