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Low Danube River Could Fully Stop Romania Nuclear Plant

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Romanian state-controlled nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica said Tuesday that persistently low Danube River water levels could force a complete shutdown of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant on Aug. 13.

The company already shut the first reactor in late July and is now considering shutting down the second unit as the river's flow falls below the level required to supply sufficient process water and cooling water.

The National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management, INHGA, said the flowrate in the Danube remained at a record low of 1,400 cubic meters per second on Tuesday, and low levels will likely persist through Aug. 12. This is down from the historical August average of 3,900 cubic meters per second.

"The possibility of a controlled shutdown of Unit 2 is based on monitoring of INHGA forecasts for the coming period, the drop in the Danube River's water level, and operating parameters," chief executive Cosmin Ghita said in a statement.

Notices of force majeure for Nuclearelectrica's electricity supply contracts were issued accordingly.

The possible full shutdown of the facility could raise power import requirements by 600 megawatts, media outlets reported, citing Deputy Energy Minister Cristian Busoi. Coal-fired power plants could also be tapped to increase domestic output.

The government has already implemented measures to lift water levels and redirect flows to the nuclear facility, including blasting a rock obstruction, dredging of the river bed, and sinking four barges filled with rocks to form a dike.

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