The Minister of Transport announces the Bala 2 project for cooling the reactors and improved navigability on the Danube

Minister of Transport Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa announced that the Bala 2 project is expected to provide the water flows necessary for cooling the reactors at Cernavodă and to improve navigability on the Danube throughout the year. The investment, discussed during a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters, is estimated at 1.2–1.3 billion lei, while the source of funding is yet to be established.

The project aims to reconfigure the water flows in the Bala area. According to the minister, the prime minister may have announced the initial allocation of 200 million euros to launch the works. However, the total value of the investment is significantly higher, so the authorities must identify the funds needed for full implementation.

Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa also spoke about the FAST Danube project, which he said needs to enter an accelerated implementation phase. It seeks to extend the annual navigation period and shift part of freight transport to the Danube, a form of transport considered cheaper than rail. The two projects are presented by the ministry as strategic investments for Romania’s energy security, transport, and economy.