Bulgaria's Kozloduy Nuclear Plant Trims Output as Danube Hits Record Lows

Bulgaria's sole nuclear power station, Kozloduy, has announced it will reduce electricity generation by roughly 12% on Friday in response to critically low water levels in the Danube River.

The plant, which supplies about 35% of the nation's power, said it will lower output at Unit 5 by approximately 120 megawatts. The move is a precautionary measure to maintain safe operational conditions.

Management described the drop in the river's level as an "unprecedented and critical decrease," noting this marks the first time in the facility's 52-year history that extreme hydrological conditions have forced a capacity reduction.

The Danube's record lows are having a wider regional impact. Nuclear generation in Hungary and hydropower output in Serbia have also fallen sharply. Last week, Romania's sole nuclear producer, Nuclearelectrica, was forced to shut down its plant entirely for the same reason.

Kozloduy stated that a dedicated team, formed in July, has already implemented procedures to ensure safe and reliable operation should river levels continue to fall over an extended period.