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Romanian Nuclear Plant to Keep Running as River Rises, Minister Says

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Romania's only nuclear power plant will be able to run for another nine days after the water level in the river it relies on for cooling rose, interim Defense and Transport Minister Radu Miruta said in a statement on Sunday.

The Cernavoda nuclear facility recorded a 4 cm rise in water levels over the previous 24 hours, following a 3 cm drop the day before, Miruta said in the statement shared on Facebook.

"Based on the current forecast, this will allow us to keep Unit 2 operating for at least another nine days," he said.

Last week, Romania took unprecedented steps to increase water flow, blasting rocks, dredging and sinking four barges to redirect the Danube flows and ensure enough cooling water for the reactors, according to a Bloomberg report on Sunday.

The country has declared a nationwide state of alert for August after low Danube water levels reduced electricity generation, according to media reports in late July, citing interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

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

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