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Romania Flags Nationwide Alert as Low River Levels Weigh on Power Generation

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Romania declared a nationwide state of alert for August after low Danube water levels reduced electricity generation, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said Friday, according to Romania's national news agency Agerpres.

Bolojan, who also serves as interim energy minister, said lower water levels in rivers, particularly the Danube, have reduced electricity production, prompting the government to impose the nationwide alert throughout August, according to the report.

Romania's Ministry of Energy said Wednesday it decided to shut down Cernavoda nuclear power plant's Unit 1 at 11:00 a.m. Thursday after the Danube's flow fell to about 1,630 cubic meters per second.

On Thursday, after the second Energy Command meeting of the week requested by Bolojan, the Ministry of Energy said Cernavoda nuclear power plant's Unit 2 will remain connected to the national grid as long as Danube water levels allow safe operation.

Romania's Ministry of Energy did not immediately reply to' request for comment.

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