Doicești small modular reactor (SMR) project is benefiting from the support of institutions supported by the United States government, with a financing potential of over 6.5 billion dollars, announced on Monday by RoPower Nuclear, the project company dedicated to the development of the first small modular reactor plant in Romania.
“The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has expressed its support in principle for this project. The institution is analyzing financing instruments that could total approximately $5.6 billion. DFC has also confirmed its interest through a Letter of Intent for a combined loan and equity financing of up to $2 billion, but not more than 25% of the total investment cost. In accordance with established practices in project financing, both letters are indicative and non-binding, being conditional on the successful completion of a full due diligence process and internal approvals,” a RoPower Nuclear statement said.
The Doicești project, based on NuScale Power’s Nuscale Power Module technology (462 MW), is on track to become the first SMR project implemented in Europe, contributing to Romania’s transition to clean energy, energy security, and strengthening its regional leadership position, representing a key factor in achieving Europe’s decarbonization goals.
“This level of support from top-tier American financial institutions reflects the solid confidence in the Doicești SMR project and in Romania’s strategic role in promoting secure energy in the region. We are committed to working closely with our partners to advance the project,” said RoPower Nuclear CEO Valentin-Ovidiu Nae, quoted by Agerpres.
This signal of support reinforces the strategic importance of the project and strengthens international confidence in its implementation and its long-term impact for Romania and the region.
RoPower Nulcear is the project company dedicated to the development of the first small modular reactor (SMR) plant in Romania, located in Doicești, Dâmbovița County. Founded in 2022, RoPower is owned in equal shares by Nuclearelectrica, the national nuclear energy company, and Nova Power & Gas, part of the E-Infra group.
RoPower Nuclear collaborates with prestigious international partners, such as NuScale Power, Fluor Corporation or Samsung C&T, to carry out the engineering and design (FEED) phases of the project.
The project involves the construction of a modular power plant with an installed capacity of 462 MWe, on the site of the former coal-fired power plant in Doicești. The new power plant will use NuScale Power technology, by commissioning six small modular reactors, each with an installed capacity of 77 MW.
The energy generated by the Doicești power plant will contribute to the green transition and at the same time to maintaining the stability of the National Energy System, through a unique mix between zero CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and on-band energy delivery, regardless of weather conditions or time of day, and can constitute, together with renewable sources in the area, a hybrid energy platform for an area otherwise exposed in the event of disruptions to the national energy system, stimulating economic and social development in the area.