Romania shuts only nuclear plant as heat causes huge drop in Danube River level

Romania's only nuclear power station has been forced offline due to record low water levels in the Danube River, a direct consequence of Europe's persistent heatwaves. The Cernavodă plant, responsible for approximately 20% of the country's electricity supply through its two reactors, will remain shut for at least the next 10 days.

This is not the first time the plant has faced such a situation; one reactor was already disconnected in July, and a similar shutdown occurred in 2003. Authorities attempted to mitigate the cooling water shortage by sinking barges to alter the river's flow, but the situation remains critical. The shortfall in power will necessitate increased reliance on imports, supplemented by solar and wind generation during the day, and coal and gas during evenings.

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We do not foresee a restart within the next 10 days.

The low water levels in the Danube, Europe's second-longest river, are the lowest in 30 years across several countries. Neighboring Hungary's Paks nuclear plant, also reliant on the Danube, faces similar risks. This crisis underscores the escalating impact of climate change in Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent. The consequences extend beyond energy, severely impacting vital waterways like the Rhine, threatening agricultural output, and potentially reducing projected economic growth for the entire EU.

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Plant officials said that levels in the Danube were so low that the suction nozzles used to take in water could not reach it.