Romania Shuts Down Cernavoda Nuclear Plant Amid Danube Drought

The Government of Romania will shut down the Cernavoda nuclear power plant starting August 13, 2026, after record-low water levels in the Danube River rendered cooling impossible. This marks the facility's first complete shutdown since 2003. One of the two 700MW reactors had already ceased operations in July; the controlled shutdown of Unit 2 follows failed attempts to avert the crisis through two million euros in dredging and water diversion projects.

To manage the resulting electricity shortage, the Ministry of Energy has requested emergency support from the European Commission and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). Romania is seeking EU approval to keep four coal-fired units, including the Turceni 5 unit, operating past their August 31 deadline. Domestically, the government plans to reactivate the Rovinari 4 coal plant and utilize extended capabilities from the state-owned producer Hydro-Electrica.

EU officials indicated that member states will coordinate to ensure Romania, Hungary, and Slovenia can cover peak demand, with Romania potentially receiving up to 4,000 MWh. While Romania faces a total shutdown, Hungary has avoided a similar fate at its Paks plant by constructing a submerged weir and using barges to raise water levels, despite experiencing partial shutdowns.