The Danube reaches record-low flows, and the reactors at Cernavodă cannot be restarted due to a lack of water for cooling

The Danube’s flow at its entry into Romania, in the Baziaș area, is estimated to reach 1,250 cubic meters per second on October 8, an insufficient level for resuming operations at the two reactors of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. The units remain shut down because of the drought and difficulties supplying the cooling pumps.

The National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management forecasts a flow of 1,350 cubic meters per second during the first three days of the period under review, followed by a gradual decline. The estimated value for October 8 represents approximately 32% of the month’s multi-year average of 3,900 cubic meters per second. Low flows are also expected along the stretch between the Iron Gates and Cernavoda.

The Danube’s level at Cernavoda fell to -255 centimeters on September 20, the lowest level recorded by modern monitoring stations. On September 24, the Energy Ministry estimated that the reactors could be restarted around mid-October if flows increased sufficiently.

Authorities have carried out dredging works and are considering using vessels or barges to direct water toward the plant. The shutdown of the reactors removes between 1,200 and 1,300 MW from the system, a capacity offset through imports and additional gas-, coal-, wind- and solar-powered generation.