Romania could shut down its last operating nuclear reactor within days
Photo: The Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant amid low water levels in the Danube River (Getty Images)
Romania's last operating nuclear reactor could be shut down as early as August 13 if Danube water levels continue to fall, despite efforts to keep the plant running, Reuters reports.
Romanian state nuclear power company Nuclearelectrica said it is considering shutting down a reactor as water levels in the Danube continue to fall, despite efforts to ensure the plant has enough cooling water.
What's happening
The Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant operates two reactors on the Danube River, and together they provide about one-fifth of Romania's electricity generation.
One reactor was already shut down in late July after water levels fell to record lows. The second reactor, now the country's only operating nuclear unit, is also at risk of being taken offline.
Nuclearelectrica said the final decision will depend on weather forecasts, further changes in Danube water levels, and the plant's operating parameters.
"The possibility of a controlled shutdown (of the second reactor) is based on monitoring weather forecasts for the following period, the fall in Danube levels and operating parameters," the company said.
On Tuesday, water levels on the section of the Danube where the river enters Romania fell to a new record low. Water flow dropped to about 1,370 cubic meters per second.
According to the head of Romania's state water management agency, shutting down the reactor could become unavoidable under such conditions.
Romania tries to keep nuclear plant running
To keep the reactor operating, Romanian authorities have taken unusual measures. They blasted a rocky obstruction in the Danube, carried out dredging operations, and sank barges loaded with stones to redirect the river's flow toward the nuclear plant.
However, water levels continue to decline.
Romania has declared an energy emergency for the entire month of August. Authorities have urged businesses and households to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption during peak evening hours.
The government has also prepared a phased power rationing mechanism for industrial consumers if the situation worsens.
Meanwhile, Nuclearelectrica has begun importing electricity from Ukraine with support from Moldovan supplier Energocom.
The imports are intended to help offset the power shortfall caused by the shutdown of one reactor.
Low water levels on the Danube have also affected neighboring Hungary upstream. The country's only nuclear power plant, Paks Nuclear Power Plant, was also forced to halt operations due to record-low river levels.
