Danube Drought Threatens European Energy Supply

Central and Eastern European nations are on high alert as the Danube River experiences historically low water levels, disrupting electricity production and raising fears of an energy crisis. Nuclear power plants, which depend on the river for cooling, are particularly affected.

In Romania, the military successfully detonated a rock formation obstructing water flow to a canal supplying the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. This plant provides about 20% of Romania's electricity. The plant had already reduced operations to one of its two reactors due to low water levels. Authorities are now building earth barriers to direct more water to the operating reactor's cooling channels, hoping to prevent power outages.

Hungary faces a similar situation at its Paks nuclear power plant, which generates roughly half of the country's electricity. Three of its four reactors have ceased operation because the Danube's water level has dropped to unprecedented lows. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has urged companies and citizens to reduce electricity consumption, especially during peak evening hours, warning that the coming days are critical for the grid's stability.

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The military operation succeeded in improving water flow, while authorities continue to build earth barriers to direct additional water quantities to the cooling channels of the operating reactor, hoping to avoid power outages.

Authorities in Hungary have also implemented energy conservation measures, including reducing air conditioning in malls, dimming public building lights, suspending freight train movement in the evenings, and lowering speeds on public transport in Budapest. Major industrial facilities have been asked to cut production.

Serbia's hydropower output has decreased due to falling water levels, prompting authorities to ask residents to conserve water and electricity. The entire Danube basin is suffering from an unprecedented drought, with minimal rainfall since last winter compounded by heatwaves exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Romanian authorities described the current hydrological period as one of the most difficult in decades, with Danube flow reduced to about a third of its usual rate.

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The coming days will be crucial for the stability of the electricity grid.