- Romania has declared a nationwide state of emergency throughout August stemming from a decline in electricity production led to the shutdown at the Cernavodă nuclear plant.
- The drought forced the shutdown of a reactor at Romania’s only nuclear plant at Cernavodă.
- Hungary's Paks plant ran at reduced output and later fell to just over 10% capacity as the Danube hit a record low.
- Romania's navy set off a controlled blast on Monday to clear a rock obstruction blocking cooling water to Cernavodă.
- Hungary's prime minister said the plant's last 240 MW turbine could keep working through Tuesday, with full shutdown expected next week.
- With both reactors at reduced capacity, Hungary and Romania are increasingly relying on expensive power imports as heatwave conditions boost demand for electricity.
- Experts said the controlled explosion would allow authorities to build a temporary dam, diverting more water into the channel serving Cernavodă’s remaining reactor.
- Water levels are not expected to rise on the Danube in the coming days or even weeks as no significant rainfall is forecast.
Hungary's Paks nuclear plant, which typically generates nearly half of the country's electricity, is operating at less than half capacity due to the Danube's record low water levels. Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned of a complete shutdown next week, stating, “An energy crisis situation could arise beginning Monday.”38
In Romania, a nationwide state of emergency has been declared as the drought forced the shutdown of a reactor at the Cernavodă nuclear plant. The Romanian government took drastic measures, including a controlled explosion to redirect cooling water to the remaining reactor. The operation involved 180kg of explosives and was aimed at building a temporary dam to increase water flow to the reactor's cooling system.1247
Romania's Defence Minister Radu Miruță emphasized the importance of keeping the reactor operational, stating, “Any day past Wednesday or Thursday that the nuclear power plant functions is a gain.” The Cernavodă plant typically supplies about 20% of Romania's electricity needs, and its shutdown has exacerbated the energy crisis in the region.
Both countries are increasingly relying on expensive power imports as demand surges due to heatwave conditions. Hungary's voluntary power cuts have reduced demand by 700 MW, while Romanian car manufacturers have halted production to conserve energy. The situation remains critical, with no significant rainfall forecasted to alleviate the drought conditions affecting the Danube.6
“Magyar said the 44-year-old Paks plant, normally generating nearly half of Hungary's electricity, was running at just over 10% capacity, with its last 240 MW turbine likely working only through Tuesday. Romania's navy used 180kg of explosives to clear a rock blocking the channel; Dacia, Ford and Richter also cut output or usage.”
The Guardian
