Romania has been forced to shut down its only nuclear power plant as record-low water levels in the Danube River reach critical thresholds, operator Nuclearelectrica announced on Wednesday.

The Cernavoda nuclear plant, which provides approximately 20% of Romania's total electricity supply, began the shutdown process as a precautionary measure. The facility relies on the Danube for essential cooling processes; however, the ongoing drought across Central and Eastern Europe has caused water levels to drop to depths that threaten the intake systems required for safe operation.

"The shutdown is a safety measure necessitated by the environmental conditions," a company spokesperson stated. Officials have indicated that the reactor will remain offline until water levels stabilize sufficiently to ensure the integrity of the cooling infrastructure.

Energy analysts are warning that the closure could put significant strain on the national grid, especially as temperatures remain high across the region, driving up power demand for air conditioning. The situation is further complicated by the fact that neighboring countries, including Hungary, are also grappling with the effects of the dried-up waterway, which serves as a critical artery for transport, irrigation, and industrial cooling.

Government authorities are currently working with regional partners to monitor the river’s flow. While the shutdown is expected to be temporary, there is no immediate timeline for when the plant will be brought back online. The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of energy infrastructure to extreme weather events linked to prolonged drought conditions in the Danube basin.

Source: BBC