Unit 2 of Romania's Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant Still at Risk of Shutdown

Ionel Scrioșteanu, State Secretary of Romania's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, stated that Unit 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant is currently still in operation, but the risk of shutdown has not been eliminated.

On August 8, Romanian authorities took emergency measures by sinking four fully loaded barges into the Danube River to raise local water levels, increasing the water intake into the plant's cooling water system to ensure the cooling needs of the reactor units.

Scrioșteanu said on social media that the related actions have achieved positive results, allowing Unit 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant to continue operating. However, he also cautioned that the Danube's strong currents may bring significant uncertainty to water conditions, and the risk remains.

He also stated that the competent authorities plan to continue implementing a series of supplementary measures to try to avoid reactor shutdown.

Affected by persistent drought and declining Danube water levels, Romania's power generation capacity is under pressure. The Romanian government declared a state of high alert for the energy system on July 31.