Bulgaria Reduces Kozloduy Nuclear Plant Output Due to Drought

The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria announced that the Kozloduy nuclear power plant will reduce the output of Unit 5 by approximately 120 MW on August 21, 2026. This precautionary measure responds to an unprecedented drought that has caused the Danube River to reach critically low levels.

River water is used to cool steam in condensers within the plant's non-nuclear section, though it is not used to cool the nuclear reactors themselves. This event marks the first time in the plant's 52-year history that extreme weather has forced a reduction in output. The decision follows the creation of a crisis management working group in early summer to address prolonged drought across Western and Central Europe.

Similar hydrological conditions have impacted other regional facilities. The Paks plant in Hungary reduced production to critically low levels, and the Cernavoda plant in Romania shut down Unit 1 in late July.