Nuclearelectrica may shut final Cernavoda reactor as Danube levels fall
Romania’s Nuclearelectrica said its last operating reactor could be shut down on August 13 as record-low Danube levels threaten cooling water supplies.
Cernavoda, Romania. State-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica said on Tuesday it could carry out a controlled shutdown of its last operating reactor on August 13 as Danube water levels continue to fall, despite measures to redirect cooling water to the plant.
The company had already shut one of its two Cernavoda reactors in late July after record-low river levels. The two reactors account for about one-fifth of Romania’s power output.
Measures to maintain operations
Romania has taken unprecedented steps to keep the remaining reactor operating, including detonating a rock obstruction above the water, dredging the riverbed and sinking rock-filled barges in the Danube to redirect flows around the power plant.
“The possibility of a controlled shutdown (of the second reactor) is based on monitoring weather forecasts for the following period, the fall in Danube levels and operating parameters,” Nuclearelectrica said.
Record-low river flow
Danube flow at Romania’s entry point fell to a new all-time low of 1,370 cubic metres per second on Tuesday, according to a director at the state water management agency.
The official said the shutdown was “unavoidable”.
Energy emergency measures
Romania has declared a state of energy emergency throughout August and called on companies and households to voluntarily reduce consumption during peak evening hours.
The government has also prepared a system to reduce electricity supplies to industrial consumers in stages and with prior notice if necessary.
Regional conditions
Further upstream, Hungary began switching back on a turbine at the Paks nuclear plant on Monday after Danube water levels rose. However, the Romanian water management agency said rain upstream would not affect Romania, the last country through which the river flows before reaching the Black Sea.
Europe has experienced record-breaking heat and destructive wildfires during the summer, disrupting power production, shipping and public health systems.
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