Search Results

Unit 5 of Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Raises Power Output to 950 MW

At 10:00 on August 31, 2026, Unit 5 of Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP (Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant) began a phased increase in power output as scheduled. By 17:00 that day, the unit's power output had risen to 950 MW. In the preceding days, the Danube River water level in Bulgaria had recovered, and the plant proceeded accordingly to resume normal unit operation. Kozloduy NPP stated that the operating team continues to carry out relevant work to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the nuclear unit. In response to changes in river water levels, the plant continuously monitors the Danube River water level and maintains communication with the Danube Research and Maintenance Executive Agency to promptly track water level trends. At the same time, the plant strictly implements long-term low-water emergency procedures, conducts continuous monitoring of hydraulic structures in the technical water supply area, and takes necessary measures to ensure the effective operation of relevant facilities.

2026-09-01

Bulgarian Environmental Groups Demand Public Review of Water Engineering Project Near Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

WWF Bulgaria has called for the prompt public disclosure of the technical plans and final design selection for the proposed hydraulic structures near the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, as well as for public discussions to be organized before construction work begins in the Danube riverbed. The organization stated that the purpose of the proposed project is to raise local water levels during prolonged droughts and historically low Danube water levels, ensuring the stable operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant's cooling system. The organization has sent an open letter to Bulgaria's Minister of Energy, Minister of Transport and Communications, and Minister of Environment and Water, raising these demands. WWF Bulgaria noted that the Danube is an international waterway, and any engineering intervention involving the riverbed requires careful assessment of environmental, socio-economic, hydro-morphological, and transboundary impacts. Given the complexity of the factors involved in the project, relevant analyses, model results, and design justifications should be made public in a timely manner and subjected to transparent public discussion.

2026-08-27

Three units at Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant return to full-capacity operation

Of the four units at Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant, three have returned to full-capacity operation, and grid connection work for Unit 4 is also progressing as planned. Hungarian authorities stated that all eight pumping systems at the plant are now in operation, with total generating capacity expected to approach 2,000 megawatts within two days. Previously, three units at the Paks plant were temporarily shut down due to declining water levels in the Danube River, which serves as a vital water source for the plant's cooling system. To improve water intake conditions, Hungary constructed a temporary weir in the river section near the Paks plant, using thousands of tons of rock and crushed stone during construction, with military engineering units also participating in the operations. The Paks Nuclear Power Plant is located approximately 100 kilometers south of Budapest on the banks of the Danube...

2026-08-25

Preventive Power Reduction of Unit 5 at Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP

Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova stated in Sofia on August 21 that due to the persistently low water level of the Danube River, Unit 5 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (Kozloduy NPP) has undergone a preventive reduction in power generation of approximately 120 MW, but the plant is currently not in a crisis situation. The unit has an installed capacity of slightly over 1,000 MW. Petrova said that the power reduction is a preventive measure within the plant's action plan for responding to the declining Danube water level, and the current situation is under control. She noted that if the water level continues to drop, Unit 5 may require further power reduction. At present, the plant has established an internal working group to continuously monitor hydrological changes. The situation is...

2026-08-22

Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Reduces Power Output Due to Falling Danube River Levels

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated that due to the sustained decline in the Danube River water level, Unit 5 of the Kozloduy NPP will reduce its power output by 120 megawatts starting August 21 to mitigate potential operational risks. The Ministry said in a statement that reducing reactor power is one of the measures to ensure the safe operation of the Kozloduy NPP, citing a sustained, abnormal, and rapid decline in the Danube River water level. The Danube River water level within Bulgaria is currently still on a downward trend. It is noted that this is the first time in the 52 years since the Kozloduy NPP was commissioned that its generating capacity has been reduced for such reasons. The plant uses Danube River water to cool the steam in the condensers of the conventional island, with water intake completed by dedicated pump stations located on the riverbank.

2026-08-21

Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant Fully Shut Down Due to Falling Danube River Water Levels

Due to the continuous decline of the Danube River water level, the two units of Romania's only nuclear power plant, the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, have been successively shut down. To alleviate the pressure on electricity supply, Unit 4 of the Rovinari coal-fired cogeneration plant has been put into operation, adding approximately 330 megawatts of generating capacity to Romania's power system. Romania's nuclear power company (Nuclearelectrica) previously reported that due to the sharp decline in the Danube River water level, which affected the assurance of cooling water for the reactor, Unit 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant was shut down in a controlled manner on the morning of August 13. The company stated that the shutdown process was carried out in accordance with procedures. At the end of July this year, Unit 1 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant had already been shut down for the same reason...

2026-08-19

Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Addresses Challenges of Low Danube River Water Levels

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated on August 16 that the Kozloduy NPP is currently operating as planned. In response to the persistently rare low water levels in the Danube River, the plant has further studied and implemented preventive arrangements based on existing technical and organizational measures to ensure stable unit operation under complex hydrological conditions. The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that the Kozloduy NPP has established a dedicated working group to evaluate various options for ensuring the plant's normal operation, with a focus on facilities related to the riverbank pumping station. The working group is continuously optimizing the riverbank pumps, reactor unit cooling systems, spent fuel storage facilities, and the overall water...

2026-08-17

Unit 2 of Romania's Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant shut down for at least 10 days due to falling Danube River water levels

Romeo Urjan, head of Romania's Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, said that due to the continuous decline of Danube River water levels, Unit 2 of the plant has been shut down since August 13 for at least 10 days. Romania's Ministry of Energy stated on August 12 that Unit 2 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant required a temporary shutdown. As planned, the shutdown operation began on the morning of August 13 and was completed before noon that day. Urjan stated that Danube River water levels are expected to continue declining over the next 10 days, so the plant currently has no plans to restart Unit 2. He emphasized that this shutdown is unrelated to nuclear safety issues or emergencies, with the main reason being...

2026-08-14

Romania's Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant to Shut Down Due to Falling Danube River Levels

Romania's Ministry of Energy announced on the 12th local time that, due to current hydrological conditions, Unit 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant will undergo a controlled shutdown starting on the 13th. Cernavoda is Romania's only nuclear power plant, and this shutdown will mark the first time the plant has been completely taken offline since 2003. The Cernavoda plant has two units, with Unit 1 already shut down at the end of last month. The plant accounts for approximately one-fifth of Romania's electricity generation. Romanian authorities had previously taken engineering measures to delay the shutdown of Unit 2, including dredging relevant sections of the Danube River, blasting and removing underwater rock obstacles, clearing the riverbed, and sinking barges loaded with crushed stone into the river channel to adjust water flow conditions. These operations involved an investment of over 2 million euros.

2026-08-13

Two Units of Kozloduy NPP Operating at Full Capacity as Scheduled

As of 13:00 on August 11, 2026, the two units of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant continue to operate at full capacity in accordance with the power generation schedule. The plant's operating team maintains continuous watch to ensure the safe and stable operation of the relevant facilities. To guarantee the water volume required for the circulating pump station and the technical water cooling system, the plant has implemented technical and organizational measures under existing conditions to maintain the operation of the shore pump station. The technical condition of the relevant facilities requires ongoing attention, and operational parameters are being continuously monitored on site. To optimize water intake conditions, the plant needs to clean the riverbed between the Danube River and the shore pump station. The operation of the shore pumps is being monitored, with flow regulated by adjusting the blade angles; if necessary, further...

2026-08-12

Romania postpones sinking barges to guide water flow, safeguarding cooling water supply for Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant

Romania has recently taken emergency measures to address the impact of the persistently declining Danube River water level on the water supply to its nuclear power plant. On August 5 local time, Romanian authorities stated that four barges would be sunk in the Danube River to guide water flow into the water intake channel related to the cooling water supply of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. Cernavodă is Romania's only nuclear power plant. Affected by drought and the low water level of the Danube, the plant's water intake conditions are under pressure. On August 3, the Romanian military used approximately 180 kilograms of explosives to blast and clear a rock formation in the Danube riverbed, aiming to improve the water flow channel, ensure the cooling water source for units in operation, and prevent the nuclear units from being forced to shut down due to insufficient water supply...

2026-08-06

Bulgarian Energy Minister to Inspect Unit Operations at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy announced on August 3 that Energy Minister Iva Petrova will visit the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant on August 4. Experts from the Ministry of Energy, along with representatives of the management of Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) and the Electricity System Operator (ESO), will accompany her. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, the visit will focus on understanding the current operational status of Units 5 and 6 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, assessing the impact of the abnormally low Danube River water level on plant operations, and reviewing measures taken by the Ministry to ensure the security of Bulgaria's electricity system. On August 2, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that despite the Danube River water level dropping to a historic low, the two nuclear units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-04

Two Units of Kozloduy NPP Operating at Full Capacity as Scheduled

On July 30, Kozloduy NPP stated that its two units are currently operating at full capacity in accordance with the power generation plan. Affected by the persistently low water level of the Danube River, the plant established a special working group in early July and activated relevant response measures to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the units under conditions of prolonged river water level decline. Kozloduy NPP is maintaining close communication with the Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River to continuously track water level trends. Monitoring data from recent days show that the Danube River water level has dropped to its lowest in recent decades...

2026-07-31

Danube River water levels continue to drop, Romania's only nuclear power plant to shut down completely

Affected by prolonged drought and high temperatures, the water level of the Danube River has been continuously declining, impacting the operation of multiple nuclear power plants along its banks. Romanian authorities have confirmed that both units of the country's only nuclear power plant, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, will be completely shut down to prevent damage to the cooling system. Romania's Acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has called on residents and large industrial users to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption, especially by controlling the load between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. He stated that Romania often faces electricity shortage pressure during this period. Bolojan noted that the Danube River flow rate during the same period in previous years was typically 3,900 to 4,500 cubic meters per second, but it has now dropped to 1,600 cubic meters per second, and is expected to continue decreasing in the coming days.

2026-07-30