 |
|
|
Romania
Did You Know?
Of the projects backed by ECAs in Romania, the Cernavoda nuclear power plant provokes the most objections from environmental organizations. It is sponsored mainly by the Canadian ECA, Export Development Canada. Projects sponsored by the government of Romania are guaranteed by the Romania EXIM bank.
"It has been reported that Romania now has four times more electrical capacity than it needs. So it is clear that electricity from the Cernavoda-2 reactor is NOT needed in Romania."
-Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout March 1999 Completing the Cernavoda-2 Reactor: A Bad Risk for Canada |
Photo Credit:Bankwatch
|
Important Background Documents:
Romania’s Cernavoda-2 Nuclear Reactor by Sierra Club of Canada
Cernavoda Summary:
The ECAs of Canada, Italy, and the United States all share in sponsorship of a nuclear power plant only two kilometers outside the town of Cernavoda, Romania. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), along with firms in Italy and the US are overseeing construction of the plant. Phase 1 of the power plant was completed in 1996, while Phase 2 is expected to become operational in 2006. The plant is a result of a decision the former Ceaucescu regime made to build between 15 and 20 Canadian CANDU nuclear reactors. The large number of nuclear plants was not necessary however, as Romania was already able to supply itself with sufficient electricity. The plans to build most of the reactors were dissolved when Ceaucescu was deposed. However, erection of Cernavoda-1 was complete by then and Cernavoda-2 was already in progress. Canada has already lent at least USD $1.35B to construction of Cernavoda-2, and it is estimated that USD $750M is required to complete it. The Romanian government is already purchasing more power than is needed in Romania, which will make it difficult to repay the loans to build these unnecessary nuclear plants. The large amount of electric power already available in Romania also makes the environmental risk associated with construction of nuclear facilities unnecessary. Other problems with the project are associated with the Environmental Impact Assessments. The Sierra Club criticizes three EIAs for not adequately describing the equipment, not addressing potential safety concerns, and not comparing the plant to alternative sources of power. The plant receives funding from EURATOM, the EU pro-nuclear power organization, which requires the plant to have safety upgrades-- a guideline with which the plant is not compliant.
Read the Sierra Club of Canada’s Citique of the Cernovoda EIAs 
Energy Probe's Supplementary Comments on Atomic Energy Canada Limited's (AECL's) Cernavoda Reactor 2
Environmental Assessment Summary
News 2004-2005:
 Deals Without Tenders February 23, 2004 According to the Balkan Reconstruction Report, critics claim that the Romanian government backed two projects without undergoing proper tender processes, one of which will be ensured by China Road & Bridge Corp. through loans from Eximbank China, China Development Bank, and Sinosure, China's official export credit insurance agency.
For more information, contact the ECA Watch Facilitator.
|
|
