May 23, 2022
Thank you for the introduction, Welcome, everyone.
Today is a rare opportunity for subject matter experts to convene here and talk with you all about the incredibly important topic of nuclear energy and how it shapes Romania’s future. Deepening and accelerating our cooperation on nuclear energy is a major priority for the U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership.
This afternoon, you will all hear about how Romania and other EU nations are laying the groundwork for wide-scale commercialization of small modular reactor technology – known as SMRs. Romania is a fitting host for this week’s workshop and dialog. Recent prices surges and supply disruptions across the continent demonstrate that Europe must find trusted sources of clean and reliable energy…sources free of coercion and malign political influence.
The United States is especially proud to stand with our Romanian partners as they pursue first-of-a-kind deployment of SMRs, a technology that was developed in the U.S. and that is championed by the Department of Energy.
Today we are very pleased to be joined by our Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk. This American technology was developed and will be used under the highest standards of safety and security, enabling true international collaboration without increased risk for our allies and partners.
Today we’re also joined by our esteemed visitor, Director Enoh Ebong of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, which organized of this week’s workshop. She’ll have more to say about this momentarily. The U.S. Department of Commerce will lead the SMR Workshop, which begins tomorrow, and you’ll also be hearing more from them. Workshop participants will learn how the U.S. Government teams with Romania and our other European allies to facilitate our shared migration to cleaner, more sustainable, and more independent energy strategies.
We are also collaborating with the Ministry of Energy on an SMR simulator, to be placed at a host institution in Romania – this will provide a tangible demonstration of the way forward.
Earlier today at this hotel, members of the Nuclear Power Working Group of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation – or P-TECC – gathered to advance the resources and technical tools that the world needs to build secure, resilient, climate-conscious energy systems.
P-TECC is an international platform that convenes policymakers and civil-society stakeholders within Eastern and Central Europe. The United States, 22 European countries, and the European Union participate in the P-TECC initiative, which is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of International Affairs.
In partnership with the United States, Romania plans to double its nuclear energy capacity in the coming decade. We recognize how essential nuclear energy, including SMRs, will be in
providing low-emission power to meet growing demand and to achieve our climate-related goals. Minister Virgil Popescu will soon share his perspectives and I am greatly looking forward to what he has to say.
And finally – but by no means least – I am pleased that you will also hear from industry leaders in a few minutes. These firms are leading the way in making the potential of SMRs a reality in Romania.
So, again, I’m excited about SMRs and their potential to provide alternative and reliable clean energy. I am pleased to see practical discussions take place among government, industry, and other stakeholders — to advance SMR deployment. And I anticipate many more EU member states joining our ranks as this critical project moves forward. Thanks
