Romania’s only nuclear power plant, Cernavodă, may shut down completely as falling Danube levels threaten the water supply used to cool its reactors.
One of the plant’s two units has been offline since July 28. The second may be halted on the morning of August 13 if water levels keep falling and the hydrological outlook does not improve.
The plant normally supplies about 20% of the country’s electricity. A shutdown of both units would increase Romania’s reliance on power imports and gas-fired generation.
Authorities are dredging the riverbed, removing underwater obstacles and positioning barges loaded with stones to channel water toward the cooling system. The work temporarily raised the water level but has not produced a lasting result.
The military also conducted underwater blasting, using 180 kilograms of explosives to remove a rock obstruction and redirect water toward the plant’s cooling canal.
Romania is under an energy preparedness regime amid prolonged heat and low water levels. Residents and businesses have been urged to voluntarily reduce electricity use during evening hours.
