Hunton Andrews Kurth Advises RoPower Nuclear on Deployment of First Small Modular Reactor in Europe

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represented RoPower Nuclear S.A. in connection with the deployment of the NuScale VOYGR-6 power Small Modular Reactor (“SMR”) generation facility in Doiceşti, Romania.

On 24 July 2024, RoPower Nuclear S.A., a subsidiary of the national nuclear energy producer Nuclearelectrica S.A., signed the Front-End Engineering and Design (“FEED”) Phase 2 contract with Fluor Corporation, advancing its mission to deploy an SMR in Romania. 

“This agreement marks a milestone in Romania’s–and Europe’s–journey toward clean and sustainable energy based on nuclear power,” said Melania Amuza, RoPower’s CEO. “It is also a testament to the robust partnership and civil nuclear cooperation between Romania and the United States.” The project was first announced by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at the 2021 UN Conference on Climate Change in Glasgow (“COP26”).

Deployment of the NuScale VOYGR-6 power SMR in Doiceşti, Romania is expected to be the first deployment of an SMR in Europe.

“There are many novel legal issues associated with this first deployment of an SMR plant in Romania, and Europe in general,” added Andrei Nicolae, General Counsel. “This agreement is the beginning of the process to address such novel issues.”

Working closely with RoPower’s CEO, Melania Amuza and General Counsel, Andrei Nicolae, the Hunton Andrews Kurth team consisted of lawyers across the firm’s offices in London, New York, Tokyo, Washington, DC and Dubai, and includes partners George Borovas, James Simpson and Tyler Maddry, supported by Martin Skehill, Stephanie Levy and Inna Pletukhina. The Hunton Andrews Kurth team was also supported by Chelsea Gunter of GNE Advisory.