Romania blasted a rocky outcrop on Monday to redirect vital cooling water from the Danube, which has become shallow due to drought, to its last operating nuclear reactor. Meanwhile, neighboring Hungary announced it could extend operations at its only nuclear power plant by another two days.
A controlled explosion conducted by the Romanian navy sent a column of water into the air—an emergency measure that highlights the severity of the crisis in Europe, where heat and drought have lowered river levels and raised concerns about water supplies, river transport, and electricity production.
With reactor output reduced, both countries are increasingly reliant on costly electricity imports as hot weather drives up power demand. Romania and Hungary both use water from the Danube to cool their nuclear power plants. The Romanian navy stated that work to redirect additional water to the reactor is expected to be completed by Wednesday.
Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruta said on Monday: “Any day after Wednesday or Thursday, when the nuclear power plant operates, is a gain. One day of the plant’s operation is three times more efficient than the cost of this operation.”
Measures to reduce electricity consumption
Romanian car manufacturers Dacia (owned by Renault) and Ford have temporarily suspended production until August 19, voluntarily cutting electricity consumption by about 200 MW, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced on Monday.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar previously stated that voluntary reductions in electricity consumption by households and businesses, following a government appeal, decreased demand by 700 MW on Sunday, significantly easing pressure on the power grid. Among other companies, pharmaceutical firm Richter announced on Monday that it would cut electricity consumption by more than 50% over the next three weeks and would contribute 4 MW of electricity to the grid daily, generated by its solar power park.
Source: The Straits Times
