Diana Buzoianu explains the shutdown of the Cernavodă power plant: "So it is clear that we are facing one of the most severe drought episodes in recent years."

Diana Buzoianu, the Minister of Environment, stated that Romania is going through a severe drought episode, anticipated by the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA). The shutdown of Reactor 2 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, after the closure of Reactor 1, is the result of the low water level, which has reached 1,500 cubic meters per second.

Buzoianu emphasized that the authorities can do nothing but apply the established procedures for managing the effects of drought, including in the energy sector. She highlighted the impact of climate change on communities in Romania, which are facing water restrictions. Regarding possible interventions, such as dredging the Danube, the minister stated that these are not sufficient to counteract the severe effects of the current drought, which exceed intervention capacities. She also mentioned that the level of the Danube is influenced by weather conditions in several states, not just Romania.

"INHGA, which is under the Romanian Waters, thus the Ministry of Environment, has warned for several weeks that there is this historic drought, let's say, 1500 cubic meters per second. Now we have been at 1600, we are expected to reach around 1500 in the immediate future. The lowest recorded flow historically on the Delta was, in the Danube, at 1400 cubic meters per second.

So it is clear that we are facing one of the most severe drought episodes in recent years. This cannot be managed otherwise than with the measures that are already on the registered protocol, on a clear procedure, established including in the energy area," said Diana Buzoianu on B1TV.