Falling Danube flow forces shutdown of Romania’s sole nuclear plant

What the report says

Romania has paused operations at its only nuclear power plant in Cernavoda after record-low water levels in the Danube River reduced the cooling water available for its reactors, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on AFP. The national nuclear company, Nuclearelectrica, said it would begin a controlled shutdown of the plant’s second reactor on Thursday, following the earlier shutdown of the other reactor last month.

The outlet said the shutdown comes as a severe drought affects much of Europe and has pushed Danube flow rates to their lowest levels in more than three decades in parts of the river basin, according to Copernicus, the EU climate observatory. Plant director Romeo Urjan told AFP he did not expect operations to restart within the next 10 days. Romania had tried to avoid a full shutdown, including spending more than 2 million euros on measures to help redirect the river’s flow.

The plant normally supplies about one-fifth of Romania’s electricity, so the interruption matters for the country’s power system. Romania’s Energy Ministry said wind power and electricity imports should cover demand, while also urging lower consumption and warning that large industrial users could face evening restrictions if needed.

Al Jazeera also noted that Hungary is facing similar pressure at its Paks nuclear plant, which uses the Danube for cooling and has already been partly shut down. Low river levels have also disrupted shipping on the Danube, a major transport route through central and eastern Europe.