Bucharest, Romania – Romania has been forced to shut down the last working reactor at its only nuclear plant after drought caused the Danube river to fall to record lows – a rare move that will immediately affect power supplies in neighbouring Moldova.
Drought and record-low water levels have deepened fears of an energy crisis across Europe, which is facing a new summer heatwave.
The drought-hit Danube, whose waters cool the Romanian plant in Cernavoda, already forced Nuclearelectrica to shut down one reactor in late July. On Thursday the company said it needed to shut the second reactor "due to the significant and ongoing drop" in the river's water level, and it did not foresee a restart within the next 10 days. Nuclearelectrica's two 706-megawatt reactors account for 20% of the country's power output.
Key developments:
- Romania: Shuts last reactor at Cernavoda nuclear plant due to record-low Danube levels
- Power impact: Two reactors (706MW each) provide 20% of Romania's electricity
- Moldova crisis: Relies on Romanian power for up to 60% of its electricity needs
- Energy emergency: Romania declared state of energy emergency for August
- Industry shutdown: Dacia and Ford to pause production until 19 August
- France: 13 of 57 nuclear reactors affected, 20% production shortfall
- Hungary: Paks plant partially shut; government building underwater weir
- Danube levels: Nearly two-thirds at lowest in 34 years
- Climate change: Drought exacerbated by human-induced climate change
- Shipping affected: Danube shipping severely impacted along 2,850km route
Romania has declared a state of energy emergency throughout August and asked companies and households to reduce consumption during peak hours.
Shutting down the reactor posed immediate problems for Moldova, Romania's eastern neighbour, which has also endured low river levels and relies on Romanian power to cover up to 60% of its own electricity shortages.
With Romanian imports now unavailable, Moldova faces the prospect of increased purchases from Ukraine, if Kyiv can supply the power, buying more expensive power from western countries or imposing rolling power cuts.
Moldova's Energy Crisis
"I think we should be ready for a worsening situation, including power outages, although it's hard to say for sure right now," Moldovan energy expert Sergiu Tofilat told Radio Chisinau.
Romania's energy ministry said it had turned on a 330-megawatt lignite-fired power plant, adding it was also relying on increased wind generation and hydro power – based on available water in reservoirs – to make up for shortages.
It has warned that as a last resort, large industrial users would have to face restrictions in the evening hours to save electricity. In early August, the government said carmakers Dacia and Ford would pause production in the country until 19 August to help with the power deficit.
Europe-Wide Nuclear Crisis
Nearly two-thirds of the Danube has seen flow rates drop to the lowest on record for a July in 34 years, according to analysis from the European climate change observatory Copernicus.
The drought has hit nuclear power providers across Europe.
France, which uses nuclear power to generate about 70% of its electricity, recorded a more than 20% shortfall in atomic production capacity this week, a record deficit caused by outages linked to drought, extreme heat and a jellyfish invasion, according to Agence France-Presse calculations based on Électricité de France (EDF) data.
In total, 13 of the 57 reactors in EDF's nuclear fleet were affected.
Hungary's Response
Hungary, neighbouring Romania, has avoided a complete shutdown of its only nuclear plant, Paks, whose four reactors are also cooled by the Danube.
But with the river expected to drop further, Hungary's prime minister, Péter Magyar, said on Wednesday that the government had ordered the construction of a submerged wall, or weir, to try to control flows near the plant. Two 80-metre (260 feet) barges are also being stationed at Paks that could be sunk to raise the water level.
Paks, which usually provides about a third of Hungary's electricity, has been partially shut down since late last month.
Climate Change Warning
The drought in Europe has been exacerbated by human-induced climate change, according to the World Weather Attribution group of scientists, who warn that the problem will worsen.
The low levels of the Danube, Europe's second-longest river, have also severely affected shipping along its 2,850km (1,770 mile) route stretching from western Germany to the Black Sea.
⚡ The Big Picture
Europe is facing a deepening energy crisis as record-low Danube river levels force Romania to shut down its last nuclear reactor at Cernavoda, cutting off 20% of the country's power supply. The shutdown immediately threatens neighbouring Moldova, which relies on Romanian electricity for up to 60% of its needs. France is also struggling with its nuclear fleet, with 13 of 57 reactors affected and a 20% production shortfall. Hungary has taken the extraordinary step of building underwater weirs to protect its Paks plant. As drought and extreme heat sweep across the continent, the crisis highlights Europe's vulnerability to climate change and its impact on energy infrastructure.
What's Next
Key developments to watch:
- Danube levels: Expected to drop further in coming days
- Moldova response: Potential rolling power cuts or increased Ukrainian imports
- Romania's energy gap: Lignite, wind and hydro power to fill the void
- French nuclear recovery: When affected reactors will return online
- Hungary's weir: Effectiveness of underwater barrier to protect Paks
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