Romania’s Nuclearelectrica and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) have begun construction of the Cernavoda tritium removal facility (CTRF) in Romania, marked by the pouring of first concrete in June 2023. This facility, the first of its kind in Europe and the third globally, aims to position Romania as a hub for tritium production and export, a key material for future fusion reactors like ITER. The project, with an estimated completion timeline of 50 months, follows an engineering, procurement, and construction contract signed by the two companies in June 2023.

The CTRF will address tritium accumulation in the Candu pressurized heavy water reactors at Cernavoda, Romania’s only nuclear power plant, which comprises two 650 MWe Candu-6 reactors operational since 1996 and 2007. As these reactors age, tritium, a hydrogen isotope, builds up in their systems, increasing environmental emissions and worker exposure. The facility will use technology from Romania’s National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies to capture and process tritium through liquid phase isotopic separation, cryogenic distillation, and high-vacuum operations. The extracted tritium will be safely stored in specialized containers for future use.

Sebastian Burduja, Romania’s Energy Minister, stated: “Today we are making history ... this achievement demonstrates that Europe’s energy future can be built in Romania, through the minds and work of Romanians. Furthermore, this project positions Romania as a European centre for the production and export of tritium, the candidate fuel for nuclear fusion reactors such as ITER. Tritium production adds to the integrated Romanian nuclear cycle.”

Cosmin Ghita, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, said: “This project represents not only technological progress, but also our commitment to a cleaner and safer environment. It is an innovative project, coordinated by expert teams, a project that puts Romania, once again, on the global map of nuclear industry development. The collaboration between Nuclearelectrica and KHNP exemplifies the power of international partnerships in achieving common goals.”

Joo-ho Whang, president and CEO of KHNP, added: “Just as every structure relies on a strong and flawless foundation, we sincerely hope that the solid concrete poured today - free of cracks - will serve as the steadfast base upon which the tritium removal facility will be successfully constructed. KHNP remains fully committed to working in close cooperation with SNN (Nuclearelectrica), as we have always done, to ensure the successful delivery of this project.”

The project highlights Romania’s advancements in nuclear technology and its commitment to environmental safety and sustainable energy innovation through international collaboration.