Romania could shut down nuclear reactor on Thursday as Danube levels fall
Nuclearelectrica said 600 megawatts of output may need to be replaced with imports if the reactor is fully shut down.
- Nuclearelectrica may shut down Cernavoda Unit 2 on Thursday, August 13, as record-low Danube water levels threaten reliable cooling capacity for the reactor.
- Romania declared a state of energy emergency this month after Danube flows dropped to a record low of 1,370 cubic metres per second on Tuesday, creating unprecedented hydrological strain.
- Production at Renault's Dacia and Ford Otosan halted until late August. Deputy Energy Minister Cristian Busoi stated Romania must import 600 megawatts if the reactor fully shuts down.
- Authorities are negotiating electricity imports from neighboring countries to offset the power loss. The government prepared staged power cuts for industrial consumers with prior notice if needed.
- Hungary's Paks nuclear plant began restarting a turbine on Monday as water levels rose upstream, illustrating the drought's localized impact. Because Romania is the final country receiving Danube flows, upstream rainfall offers no relief.
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Romania will shut down its only nuclear power plant starting Thursday due to the extremely low water level of the Danube. This decision was made despite attempts to keep the plant operational.
Romania to shut down nuclear plant due to low Danube levels
It will be the plant’s first shutdown since a 2003 drought, as unprecedented heatwaves and rain shortages across Europe this year have caused the level of the Danube -- whose waters help cool the plant -- to plummet.
Heat and drought also have consequences for the power supply in Europe: nuclear power plants are shut down, and hydropower supplies less energy. However, according to experts, other technologies could cushion failures.
The water level of one of the largest European rivers was at a historic low in Serbia, but it is now recovering. Water restrictions have been introduced in three cities in Serbia.
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