Romania has suspended the operation of its only nuclear power plant due to record low water levels in the Danube River, which is used to cool its reactors.
The Romanian national nuclear energy company Nuclearelectrica reported on Thursday that it would begin a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at the Cernavoda plant. The operation of another reactor at this plant was suspended last month.
The shutdown of the nuclear power plant comes amid a severe drought that has affected significant parts of Europe. According to data from the European Climate Change Observatory Copernicus, water levels on nearly two-thirds of the Danube’s sections have dropped to their lowest levels in over three decades.
The director of the Cernavoda plant, Romeo Urjan, told the AFP agency that he does not expect the plant to resume operations “within the next 10 days.”
Romania tried to save the nuclear power plant from shutdown
Romania attempted to prevent a complete shutdown of the plant, which usually generates about one-fifth of the country’s electricity. To maintain reactor cooling and ensure the necessary flow of water from the Danube, authorities allocated over 2 million euros (2.3 million dollars).
Measures included blasting a large rock that restricted water flow and sinking four barges loaded with stones into the river to maintain the necessary water level.
Alternative energy sources and calls for conservation
Alternative energy sources, including wind power and electricity imports, are expected to provide sufficient supply, the Ministry of Energy reported on Wednesday.
At the same time, the ministry repeated its call for “responsible consumption” and warned that as a last resort, large industrial consumers may have their electricity consumption limited during evening hours to maintain the stability of the energy system.
Source: Al Jazeera
