French energy company EDF has signed a contract worth 175 million euros to modernize the turbogenerator at Unit 1 of Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The deal involves collaboration between the plant’s operator, Nuclearelectrica, and two EDF subsidiaries – Arabelle Service France and Arabelle Solutions Romania.
Cernavoda is Romania’s only nuclear power plant, supplying around 20% of the country’s electricity needs. Unit 1, commissioned in 1996, is currently undergoing a life extension program aimed at keeping it operational for at least another 30 years. The refurbishment of the turbogenerator is a key component of this program.
EDF took over European nuclear steam turbine operations from GE Vernova in 2024, acquiring the Arabelle technology previously managed by GE. The modernization of Unit 1 supports Romania’s strategy to strengthen its nuclear generation capacity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.