Romania shuts Cernavoda reactor as Danube drought hits nuclear output

Bucharest,UPDATED: Aug 13, 2026 16:02 IST

Romania on Thursday began a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant as a severe drought and falling water levels in the Danube continued to affect operations. The plant's first reactor was shut down in late July, and when fully operational, the state-owned facility accounts for about 20% of the country's electricity generation.

Authorities said the country's electricity supply would be covered through alternative sources and imports after the second reactor was taken offline. The move came despite steps taken by Romanian authorities in recent days to avoid a full shutdown of the plant.

Nuclearelectrica, the plant operator, said in a statement to the Bucharest Stock Exchange that, "The decision to carry out a controlled shutdown of Unit 2 was determined by the continued significant decrease in the level of the Danube River." Scorching heat and low rainfall in recent weeks have left the river at record lows. The plant uses water from the Danube to cool its two reactors.

Romania's Ministry of Energy said on Wednesday that estimates showed the European Union member's electricity supply would be "fully covered by alternative sources and imports" after the shutdown of the second reactor. After acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced a nationwide state of alert in the energy sector on Jul. 31 for August, authorities made what the report described as unprecedented efforts to keep the second reactor running.

Last week, Romania began sinking four barges loaded with rock near the Danube's Bala Canal in an effort to redirect water towards the river's main channel and the Cernavoda plant. The operation followed the use of explosives by the military in the area. But the Danube's water levels eventually fell below what was needed to keep the reactor operational.

Nuclearelectrica said, "Maintaining both units in a safe shutdown state has no impact on nuclear safety parameters, including personnel, the environment and the population." The development in Romania comes as Hungary is also planning measures to raise the Danube's water level so that its only nuclear power plant, Paks, can continue operating, with the facility close to a first shutdown in its 44-year history.

With both reactors at Cernavoda now being shut down, Romania has moved to alternative sources and imports for electricity supply, after low Danube water levels made continued operations at the plant impossible.

With PTI Inputs

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