Romania’s Nuclearelectrica Shuts Down Lone Reactor Due to Danube Drought
Impact of Danube Drought on Romania’s Energy Sector
Nuclearelectrica’s Reactor Shutdown
BUCHAREST, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Romanian state-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica has started the process of disconnecting its sole working reactor from the power grid due to record-low Danube River levels, it said on Thursday.
The drought-hit river already forced the power producer to shut down one reactor in late July. The company has two 706-megawatt reactors in Cernavoda on the Danube, accounting for a fifth of the country's power output.
Government Response and Emergency Measures
State of Energy Emergency
Romania has declared a state of energy emergency throughout August and asked companies and households to voluntarily reduce consumption during peak evening hours.
Alternative Power Sources
The Energy Ministry has turned on a 330-megawatt lignite-fired power plant, it said, adding it was also relying on increased wind generation and hydro power, based on available water in reservoirs, to make up for the shortages.
Given slightly cooler temperatures, power demand at peak evening hours was expected to be lower, it said.
Cross-Border Electricity Imports
"The national power grid has a cross-border capacity of roughly 4,000 megawatts to enable electricity imports," the ministry said in a statement. "All European operators know the regional energy crisis situations and are coordinating to ensure safety in supplying all the grids hurt by weather conditions."
Industrial Power Cuts and River Management
The government has prepared a system to cut power for industrial consumers in stages and with prior notice if needed.
It had sought to avoid closing the reactor through unprecedented measures, including detonating a rock obstruction, dredging the riverbed and sinking rock-filled barges in the Danube to redirect flows to around the power plant.
Broader Regional Impacts
European Heatwave and Power Supply Pressure
Europe has suffered weeks of record-breaking heat and destructive wildfires this summer, placing enormous pressure on power supply, shipping and public health systems.
Consequences for Moldova
Shutting down the reactor posed immediate problems for Moldova, Romania's eastern neighbour, which has also endured low river levels and relied on Romanian power to cover up to 60% of its own electricity shortages.
With Romanian imports now unavailable, Moldova faces the prospect of increased purchases from Ukraine, if Kyiv can supply the power, buying more expensive power from Western countries or imposing rolling power cuts.
"I think we should be ready for a worsening situation, including power outages, although it's hard to say for sure right now," Moldovan energy expert Sergiu Tofilat told Radio Chisinau.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie, additional reporting by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau; editing by Barbara Lewis, Ron Popeski, Rod Nickel)
