Romania Greenlights 'Black Sea AI Gigafactory' Project

On November 27, 2025, the Romanian Government officially adopted a memorandum that formalizes the development of the strategic 'Black Sea AI Gigafactory' project. This pivotal decision aims to firmly establish Romania as a central hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems throughout the Black Sea region. This initiative aligns perfectly with the broader objectives set by the European Union for bolstering technological sovereignty across the bloc.

The projected investment for this ambitious undertaking is estimated to fall between 4 and 5 billion euros, with a target operational date set for the close of 2028. This formal approval followed a crucial submission of a letter of intent to the European Commission in June 2025, channeled through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. This action was a key step within the framework of the European InvestAI initiative. The Gigafactory is designed to deliver cutting-edge computational capabilities not only to Romanian industry, research institutions, and startups but also to neighboring nations, specifically including Moldova, Ukraine, and Turkey.

The planned infrastructure is set to incorporate over 100,000 AI accelerators. Furthermore, it will feature the deployment of advanced fiber optic and subsea cable connections, sophisticated hybrid cooling systems, and top-tier cybersecurity measures. A critical component of this plan involves securing substantial energy supply, requiring an installed capacity of up to 1,500 MW. This power will be sourced predominantly from nuclear energy generation. The memorandum specifically outlines the utilization of Units 1 and 2 at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, the forthcoming Units 3 and 4, and the planned Small Modular Reactor (SMR) located in Doicești.

Financing for the construction of Cernavodă Units 3 and 4, which will employ CANDU 6 technology and collectively generate 1,400 MW, has already been secured through backing from the United States, Canada, and Italy. This financial backing underscores Romania's firm commitment to a stable, low-carbon energy strategy necessary to fuel its high-tech aspirations.

The execution of the Gigafactory project is structured across two distinct phases. Phase I will be established in Cernavodă, situated adjacent to the existing nuclear power station, thereby leveraging established energy and digital infrastructure. Phase II is slated for Doicești, co-located with the SMR project site. This second phase is anticipated to supply more than 80% of the total electricity demand for the AI Gigafactory. The Doicești SMR project, utilizing NuScale technology across six modules for a total output of 462 MW, is currently in the FEED 2 stage, with the final investment decision expected in 2026.

Coordination for this massive endeavor falls primarily to the designated Ministry of Energy, supported by the Ministry of Finance and the Romanian Digitization Authority. The involvement of the Inter-American Development Bank further highlights the international scope of this strategic initiative. The Romanian Government emphasizes that this project is vital for boosting national productivity, attracting significant foreign direct investment, and substantially enhancing regional competitiveness under the InvestAI program.