Romanian authorities have begun emergency engineering work on the Danube to protect cooling-water supplies for unit 2 at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The actions follow prolonged drought that has pushed river flows toward exceptionally low levels. One Cernavoda generating unit has already been taken offline, while the remaining reactor continues operating.
Further deterioration in cooling-water conditions could remove a generating unit responsible for close to 20% of Romania’s electricity production capacity. With less available generation, Romania’s power balance would tighten during evening hours. The government has also put contingency measures in place for the period ahead.
Engineering measures on the Danube and Bala branch
The intervention includes removing a large rock obstructing the river channel and partially closing the Bala branch. Authorities plan to sink stone-filled barges and carry out additional dredging. The stated objective is to direct more water toward the Old Danube branch supplying Cernavoda.
Romania’s Naval Forces attempted to clear the obstruction using controlled explosions on 2 August, but the first operation did not succeed. A second attempt was planned using larger charges. In parallel, authorities prepared to sink four barges carrying about 500 tonnes of stone in the Bala branch.
The barges are intended to change how river flow is distributed while preserving intake conditions required by the nuclear plant. Officials have not indicated any changes beyond these measures in the planning described for the river works.
August energy alert and market contingency planning
The government declared an energy alert covering all of August. System pressure was expected to remain at its highest level until around 15 August. Contingency planning includes emergency electricity imports and possible temporary demand reductions by large industrial consumers.
Household interruptions were not expected under the alert. However, losing the second reactor would materially tighten Romania’s evening balance. Romania is already importing electricity on a net daily basis while exporting substantial volumes to Hungary during periods of northern scarcity.
The impact of the engineering work extends beyond plant operations, affecting Romanian wholesale prices and regional cross-border flows. It also relates to industrial demand management and Hungary’s access to southeastern electricity.
