Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP recently represented Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN) in connection with a complex and highly bespoke engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the provision of the retubing, refurbishment and infrastructure works for Unit 1 of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant in Cernavodă, Romania.

With an initial estimated value of €1.9 billion, the scope of the EPC contract will include the detailed design and execution plans, the procurement of materials and equipment, the works required for the retubing and refurbishment of Unit 1, as well as the execution of the necessary infrastructure works for the project. The implementation and completion of the EPC contract works will enable the continued operation of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant Unit 1 for another 30-year life cycle. 

“SNN is leading the way in an oft-overlooked opportunity in transition to clean energy: life extensions of existing nuclear power plants. We are honored to have supported SNN in creating the contractual framework that will help achieve Romania's net-zero ambitions and that will likely become an example for other countries on their journeys toward clean and reliable energy,” commented George Borovas, partner in Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Global Nuclear Practice.

Established in 1998 and majority owned by the Romanian government, SNN is the sole producer of nuclear energy in Romania, operating through two branches, including the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant Division and FCN Pitesti. The EPC contract was awarded to an international consortium of four companies from Canada’s Candu Energy Inc. and Canadian Commercial Corporation, Italy’s Ansaldo Nucleare S.P.A, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. at a signing ceremony in Bucharest on December 19, 2024, and is expected to come into effect following formal final approval of SNN”s General Meeting of Shareholders and by the Canadian government.

Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Global Nuclear Practice team provided legal support to SNN in structuring, negotiating and drafting the EPC contract. The mulitdisciplinary team of lawyers from London, Tokyo, the United States and the United Arab Emirates advised on highly complex infrastructure, public procurement, intellectual property and nuclear law-related issues, as well as on multifaceted project-specific interface issues. The Hunton Andrews Kurth team included Borovas and partner James Simpson, partner Tyler Maddry, special counsel Martin Skehill, and associate Inna Pletukhina. The team collaborated closely with Chelsea Gunter from GNE Advisory Pty Ltd; Bryan Jardine, Ligia Cecilia Popescu and Adina Aurel from Wolf Theiss and Alina Tugearu, Cosmin Vasile, Cosmin Cojocaru from Zamfirescu Racoti Vasile & Partners (ZRVP).

Hunton Andrews Kurth has extensive experience in the establishment and development of nuclear power programs, supporting clients from across the globe in navigating virtually all aspects of the civilian nuclear industry. The firm provides comprehensive legal and strategic guidance to advance its clients’ priorities, and advises its clients in legal, transactional, and policy matters surrounding the development, construction, and financing of conventional nuclear power programs, as well as advanced nuclear reactors or small modular reactor (SMR) projects.