ABB has been awarded a contract by engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Ansaldo Nucleare to modernize the control and safety systems at Unit 1 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant in Romania. The project is aimed at supporting the long-term operation of the country’s only nuclear power plant and extending the operational life of Unit 1 by another 30 years.
Located about 165 kilometres east of Bucharest, the Cernavodă plant is operated by Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica (SNN). The facility currently has two CANDU-6 nuclear units, with Unit 1 operational since 1996 and Unit 2 since 2007. The plant supplies around 18-20 percent of Romania’s total electricity generation.
Under the project, ABB will replace existing control and safety systems with the ABB Ability™ System 800xA® platform. The scope includes the distributed control system, emergency shutdown systems applicable to Category B and C functions, and cybersecurity solutions covering engineering and testing.
ABB will also provide systems for standby diesel generator Category A functions using a combination of conventional hardwired equipment. The modernization is designed to provide a centralized and cyber-secure platform to improve operational reliability and support the plant’s long-term performance. ABB has previously supplied systems for Cernavodă Unit 2, where its systems have been operating since 2007. The company’s existing experience at the site is expected to support the modernization work at Unit 1.
“This project represents an important step in ensuring the safety and performance of Unit 1, extending its operational life,” said Daniela Gentile, CEO of Ansaldo Nucleare. “Our knowledge of the plant, combined with our longstanding collaboration with ABB, its experience at the site, and its expertise in automation for nuclear power generation, will contribute to an efficient modernization of Unit 1 at Cernavodă.”
The project comes as electricity demand increases and countries seek dependable low-carbon power sources. The International Energy Agency has noted that variable renewable sources such as solar and wind require complementary sources to support power system stability and security. Nuclear power remained the world’s second-largest source of low-emissions electricity after hydropower in 2025.
“To help meet energy demand, modernizing critical control and safety systems is essential to the long-term reliability and output of nuclear power plants,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division. “This project supports the continued delivery of reliable low-carbon power as part of a stable and resilient energy system in Romania. By combining advanced automation with integrated cyber security solutions, ABB is enabling the continued safe and efficient operation of this facility.”
ABB is a global technology company focused on electrification and automation. With more than 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB serves industries through engineering, digitalisation and automation technologies. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm.
ABB’s Automation business provides automation, electrification and digitalisation technologies for industrial operations across energy, water, materials, manufacturing and transportation. The business has around 26,000 employees and serves process, hybrid and maritime industries.
