The Romanian Ministry of Energy announced on July 29 that the country will have to stop operating its second nuclear reactor due to the low water level of the Danube River, just a few days after the first reactor had to stop operating for similar reasons, AFP reported.
Two nuclear reactors at the Cernavoda plant operated by Romania's national nuclear energy company Nuclearelectrica both use Danube River water for cooling.
Due to unfavorable developments in hydrological conditions on the Danube River, unit No. 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant will cease operations under control tomorrow, July 30, starting at 10:00 am" - the Romanian Ministry of Energy stated in a statement.
Nuclearelectrica issued a statement confirming that the reactors are being discontinued "in accordance with the factory's procedures applied in case of severe drought".
According to local media, this is the first time both reactors have stopped operating at the same time due to low water levels in the Danube River.
Romanian interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that the country will compensate for energy shortages by increasing production at gas-fired power plants and through imports, especially during peak consumption hours in the evening.
I call on Romanian people and large consumers to pay attention to their consumption levels in the evening hours, when we are facing energy shortages," he said.
Hungary has also reduced nuclear power production due to the low water level of the Danube.
Unit 3 of Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant has temporarily stopped operating due to the Danube River water level falling to a record low amid prolonged drought and extreme heat, Xinhua News Agency quoted a Hungarian official on July 29.
Hungarian Minister of Economy and Energy Istvan Kapitany emphasized that the suspension of reactor operation is carried out according to pre-determined operating safety guidelines. According to the Hungarian Directorate for Hydrology, the water level of the Danube River in Budapest dropped to a record low of 31cm on July 28.
The shutdown took place after previous production cuts at the plant with 4 units with a total capacity of about 2,000 megawatts.
Minister Istvan Kapitany noted that the shutdown is part of a well-prepared plan, prioritizing operational safety, not unexpected emergencies. The plant uses Danube River water for cooling, so reducing the flow is necessary to meet environmental regulations related to water temperature.
Mr. Kapitany added that the temporary power shortage will be compensated by domestic renewable energy sources and increased electricity imports. He also reassured the public that Hungary's power grid remains stable.
The Danube River - flowing from the Black Forest in western Germany through 10 countries to the Black Sea - has fallen to record lows in some sections due to prolonged lack of rain and consecutive heat waves since May.
Slovakia recorded the lowest water level in the past 30 years in the Danube River. A similar situation is also observed in Serbia. Serbia's largest hydropower plant is operating at about 1/3 of its normal capacity. In addition, the low water level of the Danube River has also reduced imports of oil products, with only 1/4 of the volume expected to be delivered in July to Serbia.
It is forecast that this situation on the Danube River will continue throughout August and affect other rivers.
