Romania has shut down the last working reactor at its Cernavoda nuclear plant because drought has pushed the Danube to record-low levels. The shutdown immediately threatens electricity supplies to neighbouring Moldova, which relies on Romanian imports to cover up to 60% of its power shortages.
Nuclearelectrica said on Thursday that the second reactor had to close because of the “significant and ongoing drop” in the river’s level. The company did not expect it to restart within the next 10 days.
Why the reactor was closed
The Danube provides cooling water for Cernavoda’s two reactors, each rated at 706 megawatts. The river’s decline had already forced Nuclearelectrica to shut down the other reactor in late July.
Together, the reactors normally account for about 20% of Romania’s electricity output. Romania has declared an energy emergency throughout August and asked households and companies to reduce consumption during peak hours.
Related coverage: European Commission advises suspension of methane fines during energy supply challenges.
What the shutdown means for Moldova
Moldova now has to consider alternative sources for electricity previously supplied by Romania. Those options include buying more power from Ukraine if Kyiv can provide it, purchasing more expensive electricity from western countries or imposing rolling power cuts.
Moldovan energy expert Sergiu Tofilat told Radio Chisinau that the country should be prepared for a worsening situation, including possible outages, although he said the outcome remained uncertain.
How Romania is managing the shortfall
Romania’s energy ministry said it had restarted a 330-megawatt lignite-fired power plant and was relying on additional wind generation and hydroelectricity from available reservoir water. As a last resort, it warned that large industrial users could face evening restrictions.
More context: Blast Diverts Danube Water as Nuclear Plants Face Shutdowns.
The government said in early August that carmakers Dacia and Ford would pause production in Romania until 19 August to help reduce the power deficit.
A wider Danube and nuclear-power problem
Nearly two-thirds of the Danube recorded its lowest July flow rates in 34 years, according to analysis by the Copernicus European climate change observatory. The drought has also severely disrupted shipping along the river’s 2,850-kilometre route from western Germany to the Black Sea.
Drought has affected nuclear power production elsewhere in Europe. France recorded a more than 20% shortfall in nuclear generating capacity during the week, with 13 of its 57 reactors affected by outages linked to drought, extreme heat and a jellyfish invasion. Hungary’s Paks plant, also cooled by the Danube, has been partially shut down since late July; authorities have ordered a submerged wall and positioned two 80-metre barges to help raise water levels if necessary.
Also read: Ukraine Disrupts Russian Fuel and Electricity to Crimea, Deepening Energy Crisis.
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