Nuclear electric energy in Romania - present status and long term prospects

The paper presents an analysis of the option for nuclear power in view of the decreasing energy demand in Romania, following industrial restructuring and abandonment of highly consuming industrial capacities. The costs of Cernavoda NPP based on CANDU type reactors amounted up to USD 2.2 billions, 160 % higher than the real price. Even though this reactor type is positioned among the highest as the safety is concerned, it could be assumed that even small incidents (predictable as well as repairable) would result in a decay of the tourism on Romanian sea shore or Danube delta. The paper raises also five questions and asks for updating the data necessary for a renewal of governmental decision concerning the Romanian nuclear power program