Cernavoda Tritium Removal Facility (CTRF) in Romania, developed by state-owned nuclear energy company Nuclearelectrica and South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is under construction and equipment procurement as of 2026.
The project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was signed in June 2023. This was followed by the permitting process and initial site works.
The project received its siting and construction authorizations in 2024, while foundation excavation was completed in December that year.
A major milestone followed on June 2, 2025, when the first concrete was poured for the facility, marking the start of its main construction phase. Subsequent works included concrete pours at the 91-metre and 92-metre structural levels in September and October 2025.
In its first-quarter 2026 report, Nuclearelectrica confirmed continued assembly and formwork activities at the 95-metre level. Waterproofing works and progress on equipment procurement was also reported. Additionally, 18 of 23 procurement packages had contracted by the end of March. Training for the facility’s operating personnel was also completed.
In a further development announced on June 3, 2026, Nuclearelectrica began exploring potential commercial markets for the recovered tritium including future nuclear fusion projects. The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with Swiss companies RC Tritec AG and Smolsys AG to assess potential tritium supply, storage and handling cooperation. This is as Romania continues to increase its nuclear power portfolio with newer projects such as the $6-7 billion Doicesti SMR power plant project.
The company plans to bring the Cernavoda Tritium Removal Facility into operation by the end of 2028.
Cernavoda Tritium Removal Facility (CTRF) / Cernavoda Heavy Water Tritium Removal Facility Fact Sheet
Project type: Nuclear facility for extracting tritium from heavy water used in nuclear reactors
Location: Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Constanta County, Romania
Project Owner: Nuclearelectrica
EPC contractor: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)
Romanian technology developer: National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies (ICSI), based in Ramnicu Valcea.
Facility designation: Europe’s first tritium removal facility, and the third of its kind worldwide according to the project partners.
Technology: Romanian-developed heavy-water de-tritiation technology incorporating liquid-phase isotopic separation, cryogenic distillation and high-vacuum operations.
Purpose: Remove tritium from heavy water in the coolant and moderator systems of Cernavoda’s CANDU reactors.
Primary environmental benefit: Reduce tritium concentrations in plant systems and associated radioactive waste. Also supports lower tritium releases and reduced occupational exposure.
Additional benefit: Recover tritium for secure storage and potential future commercial use, including nuclear fusion research.
EPC contract signed: June 27, 2023
Construction start: June 2, 2025
Project cost: €254 million
European Investment Bank financing: €150 million.
Equipment procurement: 18 of 23 procurement packages had been contracted by the end of March 2026.
Workforce: Nuclearelectrica has reported 22 designated operating positions. Recruitment has also been completed and initial operator training undertaken.
Operational target: End of 2028
Project status: Under construction
Cernavoda Tritium Removal Facility (CTRF) Project Team List
Nuclearelectrica (SNN) – Project owner
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) – Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor responsible for delivering the facility under the contract signed in June 2023.
National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies – Technology developer responsible for the Romanian-developed tritium separation technology.
National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) – Nuclear safety regulator responsible for licensing and regulatory oversight.
Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests – Environmental permitting office. Also issued the environmental permit for the project in January 2023.
European Investment Bank (EIB) – Project financier
RC Tritec – Potential commercial partner under MoU signed with Nuclearelectrica and Smolsys in June 2026.
Smolsys – Potential partner in assessing tritium supply, storage and handling.
Tritium removal facility (TRF) to be developed at Cernavoda nuclear power plant, Romania
Reported June 28, 2023 – A tritium removal facility is set to be developed at Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania. Recently, a US$225 million deal was recently signed for the development of the facility. The deal was signed between Romania’s nuclear energy company SNN, or Nuclearelectrica, and South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP).
KHNP CEO Whang Joo-ho and SNN chief Cosmin Ghita signed the deal in Seou. Additionally, the ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang and Romanian Ambassador to Seoul Cezar Armeanu.
According to the agreement, KHNP will construct the facility approximately 70 kilometres east of Bucharest. The construction is scheduled for completion in August 2026. The tritium removal facility (TRF) at Cernavoda nuclear power plant is planned to be put into commercial operation the following year. It will extract tritium from heavy water and store it in a safe form.
Also Read: Contract awarded for Cluj Napoca-Oradea line in Romania
What was said
The ministry said, “Eliminating heavy tritiated water will greatly reduce the amount of radioactive waste left to be handled for the decommissioning of its reactors, hence lowering radiological risks to people and the environment and reducing the energy required to create new heavy water.”
It is the second export of nuclear power facilities for the Yoon Suk Yeol government after South Korea won a 3 trillion-won deal in August 2022 to build Egypt’s first nuclear power plant project in El Dabaa. Furthermore, according to the ministry, they are expected to revive the domestic nuclear power industry, which has been in decline. Additionally, the value of this contract equals almost 38% of South Korea’s US$530 total exports to Romania in 2016.
SNN chief Cosmin Ghita, “South Korea is renowned for its innovative industrial machinery, construction materials, and technology of the highest calibre. Additionally, it has the potential to finish tasks quickly. We consider all of those aspects and anticipate strengthening our relationship with South Korea.”
The agreement to build the TRF at Cernavoda nuclear power plant will increase S. Korea’s possibilities of participating in similar projects in Romania. Including the planned project worth around 2.5 trillion won to improve the Cernavoda plant facilities.
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