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Romania's Nuclearelectrica Disconnects Second Reactor at Cernavoda Plant Due to Record Low Danube River Levels

The state-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica has initiated a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at its Cernavoda power plant in Romania. This action was taken due to the continued significant decrease in the level of the Danube River, which has reached record lows caused by a severe drought and scorching heat across Europe. The Cernavoda plant is a critical energy source, accounting for approximately 20% of the country's electricity generation when fully operational. To mitigate the impact of the low water levels, Romanian authorities have undertaken unprecedented efforts, including sinking rock-filled barges and using military explosives to redirect water flow toward the plant. Despite these efforts, the river level receded below the necessary threshold for the reactor to remain operational. The Romanian Ministry of Energy stated that the electricity supply would be fully covered by alternative sources and imports. This development follows similar challenges across the region, with other nations like Hungary and Bulgaria also adjusting operations at their nuclear facilities to manage the water scarcity caused by extreme weather conditions.

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