**Falling Danube Flow Forces Shutdown of Romania’s Sole Nuclear Plant**
**Cernavoda, Romania** – Romania's only nuclear power facility, the Cernavoda plant, has ceased operations due to unprecedented low water levels in the Danube River, which serves as a critical source of cooling water for its reactors. The national nuclear energy company, Nuclearelectrica, announced on Thursday that it would initiate a controlled shutdown of the plant's second reactor, following the closure of the first reactor last month.
The decision to halt operations comes amid a severe drought affecting large portions of Europe, leading to record low flow rates in nearly two-thirds of the Danube, as reported by the European climate change observatory, Copernicus. The situation has reached a critical point, with some areas experiencing the lowest water levels in over thirty years.
Romeo Urjan, the director of the Cernavoda plant, indicated that the facility would likely remain offline for at least the next ten days. Romania had previously attempted to prevent a complete shutdown by allocating over 2 million euros (approximately $2.3 million) to modify the river's flow. Efforts included blasting a rock that obstructed water flow and sinking four barges filled with rocks into the river to help maintain the necessary water levels for cooling.
Despite the shutdown, Romania's Ministry of Energy has assured the public that alternative energy sources, such as wind power and electricity imports, will be utilized to meet the country's energy demands. The ministry has also urged citizens to practice "responsible consumption" of electricity. In a worst-case scenario, it warned that large industrial consumers might face restrictions on their energy use during peak evening hours to conserve electricity.
The impact of the drought is not limited to Romania. Neighboring Hungary, which relies on the Danube to cool its own nuclear power plant in Paks, has managed to avoid a complete shutdown so far. However, the Hungarian government is taking precautionary measures as river levels are expected to decline further. Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced plans to construct a submerged wall, or weir, to help regulate water flows near the Paks facility. Additionally, two 80-meter barges are being prepared to be sunk in the river to elevate water levels.
The Paks nuclear plant, which typically generates approximately one-third of Hungary's electricity, has already been partially shut down since late last month due to the low water levels.
The Danube River, stretching 2,850 kilometers (1,770 miles) from western Germany to its mouth on the Black Sea, is not only vital for energy production but also for shipping and transportation. The current drought conditions have severely disrupted shipping activities along this critical waterway, further highlighting the widespread impact of the ongoing environmental crisis.
As the situation develops, both Romania and Hungary are closely monitoring the Danube's water levels and exploring various strategies to mitigate the effects of the drought on their energy infrastructure and broader economic activities.