Romania's Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant to Remain Offline Until at Least September 18 Due to Low Danube River Levels

On September 8, Romania's Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant was expected to remain offline until at least September 18 due to low water levels in the Danube River.

Emil Macovei, Technical Director of Nuclearelectrica, the operator of the Cernavoda plant, stated that over the next 10 days, the Danube's water volume would still be insufficient to support the restart of either of the plant's two units. Romania's Antena 3 television channel quoted him as saying that current hydrological conditions do not yet meet the requirements for unit operation.

Cristian Busoi, Secretary of State at Romania's Ministry of Energy, said that predictions regarding the plant's restart timeline were "rather optimistic," and the ministry is currently unable to provide a definitive date for resuming operations. He confirmed that despite ongoing riverbed dredging operations in the Danube section near the plant, the facility would remain offline for another 10 days.

Located in Constanța County in southeastern Romania, the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant is the country's only operational nuclear facility. Due to declining Danube water levels caused by drought, both of the plant's reactors have been shut down to prevent damage to the cooling systems.

The plant currently operates two units built using Canadian CANDU technology, generating approximately 20% of Romania's total national electricity output. Amid the ongoing drought, Romania has declared a state of emergency, and the government has taken measures to significantly reduce energy consumption by businesses, institutions, and the public.