Romania shuts second Cernavoda reactor as Danube hits record low
Romania begins controlled shutdown of Cernavoda's second reactor as Danube drought persists, with energy needs covered by imports.
Romania has initiated a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant, as a prolonged drought continues to push Danube River water levels to historic lows. The state-owned facility, which typically supplies about a fifth of the nation's electricity, had already taken its first reactor offline in late July.
The plant operator, Nuclearelectrica, confirmed the decision in a statement to the Bucharest Stock Exchange, citing the continued significant drop in the river's level. The Danube is essential for cooling the plant's reactors.
Romania's Energy Ministry has assured that the country's electricity demand will be fully met through alternative sources and imports once the second unit is offline. The government had earlier declared a state of alert in the energy sector for August, following an announcement by acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.
In a bid to avert this shutdown, Romanian authorities took unprecedented measures last week. They sank four barges loaded with rock near the Danube's Bala Canal, after military engineers used explosives to blast material from the river. The underwater barrier was intended to redirect water toward the main channel and the Cernavoda plant. However, water levels ultimately receded beyond the threshold required for safe reactor operation.
Nuclearelectrica has stated that keeping both units in a safe shutdown state poses no risk to nuclear safety, personnel, the environment, or the public.
The situation in Romania mirrors concerns in neighboring Hungary, where authorities are planning measures to raise Danube levels to keep the Paks nuclear plant running. That facility is reportedly on the verge of its first shutdown in 44 years.