The Cernavoda 2 nuclear power reactor in Romania achieved first criticality at approximately 11.25pm on 6 May, Nuclearelectrica reported.

The 655 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor of the Candu 6 design, supplied by Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL), will undergo a series of low-power tests over the next few weeks before power levels are increased.

The unit is scheduled to enter commercial production by September 2007. Construction of Cernavoda 2, together with units 3 to 5, originally started in 1982, but was suspended following the overthrow of President Nicolae Ceaucescu in December 1989.

A consortium of AECL and Italy's Ansaldo Energie, together with Nuclearelectrica, were contracted in 2003 to manage the construction of the partially completed unit 2 and to commission it into service. Units 3 and 4 are to be completed in parallel, following the recommendations of a 2006 study, while there are currently no plans to complete unit 5.

Cernavoda 1, also a Candu reactor, has been operating since 1996. Together with Cernavoda 2, the two units will account for some 18% of Romania's energy production.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/