Romania Shuts Down Second Cernavoda Reactor Amid Low Danube Levels
Romania began a controlled shutdown of the second unit at the Cernavoda nuclear plant as the Danube River falls to record lows, with officials saying electricity supply will be met by alternative sources.
Romania started a controlled shutdown of Unit 2 at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant on Thursday, citing a continued significant drop in the Danube River’s water level. The plant, which provides roughly 20% of the nation’s electricity when both reactors operate, relies on river water for cooling.
"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," Nuclearelectrica said in a statement to the Bucharest Stock Exchange.
The Ministry of Energy indicated that electricity demand would be fully covered by alternative generation and imports after the second reactor is taken offline. Earlier, the government declared a state of alert in the energy sector for August and deployed four rock-filled barges to create an underwater barrier intended to redirect water toward the plant, but river levels remained insufficient.
"Maintaining both units in a safe shutdown state has no impact on nuclear safety parameters, including personnel, the environment and the population," the operator added.
Hungarian authorities are also planning measures to raise the Danube’s level to keep their Paks nuclear facility operational.