Trigger level and approved three-stage intervention
Romania has approved an emergency response plan for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant linked to exceptionally low Danube river levels. The measures would be triggered if the level in the plant’s intake basin falls to 1.58 metres. Authorities outlined a three-stage approach designed to maintain cooling-water availability for the facility.
The plan is focused on keeping water supply available for plant operations, including periods when generation is not underway. Both Cernavoda units are currently offline. The Danube level in the area has fallen to around 1.86 metres.
Vessels and barges to redirect water toward the intake
The first stage involves positioning loaded vessels and barges across about 600 metres of the river. The objective is to redirect more water towards the Danube-Black Sea Canal and the Cernavoda intake. This measure would be implemented if conditions deteriorate to the agreed trigger point.
If the initial redirection does not provide sufficient water, authorities would move to a second stage involving a temporary closure structure near the connecting canal. The structure would be around 170 metres long. Pontoons and barriers are identified as the preferred option, while a temporary stone dam is also being considered.
Pumps as last resort and cooling needs during outages
A final stage would use high-capacity pumps to transfer additional water directly toward the cooling intake. The approach is intended to preserve cooling-water availability even when reactors are not generating electricity. Plant safety is described as the immediate priority rather than a rapid restart.
Forecasts indicate below-average flows through September, October and November, affecting expected river conditions. Previous attempts to improve water availability included blasting a rock formation and sinking barges to redirect river flows, but those steps failed to deliver a lasting solution.
The timing of any return to nuclear generation will depend heavily on whether Danube conditions improve.
