SMR (photo: NuScale/Facebook)
The final investment decision regarding a 462 MW small modular reactor system northwest of Bucharest could be delayed to early 2027, according to NuScale CEO John Hopkins.
RoPower Nuclear, the joint venture established for the SMR project, intends to use NuScale’s technology. The facility in Doicești in Dâmbovița county in the Muntenia region would be built at the site of a former coal plant.
NuScale expected RoPower to make the final investment decision early in the second quarter of next year at the latest. It is slated to be made after the completion of the upcoming front-end engineering design (FEED). Fluor was hired for the job in July, with its subsidiary NuScale as a subcontractor.
The former coal-fired power plant is now entirely removed, NuScale Power revealed with its earnings report for the second quarter. The company said it is working with Fluor regarding the input for the final investment decision.
RoPower Nuclear intends to deploy six NuScale Power Modules
“RoPower and the Romanian government continue to pay their bills, and we’re keeping our finger on the pulse and watching it very closely. We have almost weekly conversations on progress,” of the FEED 2 study, NuScale CEO John Hopkins said at the earnings call, Profit.ro reported. The final investment decision looks to be probably between mid-to-late 2026 and early 2027, he estimated.
The CEO said the Romanian side is taking a phased approach, claiming it remains very enthusiastic.
The plan is to deploy six NuScale Power Modules
RoPower Nuclear intends to deploy six NuScale Power Modules at the planned facility.
The joint venture is undergoing a change in ownership. Its current owners, each with 50%, are state-controlled Nuclearelectrica, operator of Romania’s only nuclear plant, Cernavodă, and Nova Power and Gas, a subsidiary of E-Infra from Cluj.
The deal for a new investment round reportedly implies them dropping to 46.5% and 14%, respectively, while DS Private Equity from South Korea would control the remaining stake through its DSPE Beta Private Equity Fund.
The project is backed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
The politics of power and greed almost ensure NuScales inability to survive financially as a going concern without revenues and cash profits, as the chase for energy solutions with nuclear applications continues to stall, stall , stall …. quite pathetic given the immeasureable benefits to be gained from their technology for worldwide acceptance. Even Trump could not wade through this swamp!