Nuclearelectrica - a player on the Romanian energy market

Nuclearelectrica operates at Cernavoda NPP a CANDU 6 unit. The production performances and some technical indicators are presented. The paper introduces the players of the new-born Romanian energy market, where Nuclearelectrica acts as a significant producer, and. gives a short description of the current market mechanisms. The specific features of a producer operating a single nuclear unit, related to both technical and economical terms, are itemized; they are considered in the market rules issued by the Romanian Electricity Regulatory Authority - ANRE. Following these rules, Nuclearelectrica concluded with Electrica, the main energy supplier to final consumers, a long-term energy wholesale contract for all the generated by Cernavoda 1 electricity, based on the so-called Power Purchase Agreement model, where a large part of the risk related to the power sales is borne by the buyer. On the same time, the existing conditions on the Romanian market proved the competitiveness of Cernavoda unit as an energy producer; hence, the above-mentioned contract provides a futile over-protection to the NPP facing the market risks. The paper presents also the critical issue of the collection of revenues for the sold electricity and the company's approach in allotting this limited revenues. In light of the completion of Unit 2 of the Cernavoda NPP, the company's strategy considers new possible contracts, with eligible customers and energy exports.(author)