The nuclear power plant covers some 20% of Romania’s electricity production, and it uses the Danube’s water to cool the reactors.
“Nuclearelectrica is closely monitoring Danube levels. At the moment there are no threats for electricity production at Cernavoda,” said Pompiliu Budulan, general manager of Nuclearelectrica.
Nuclearelectrica is owned by the state. In 2003, the plant was forced to shut down one reactor – the only functional one at that date, because of a drought that lowered Danube water levels.
Danube levels are below the average seen regularly in this time of year. Hydrologists expect levels to decrease further in upcoming days, reaching volumes of 2,400 cubic meters per second. The average for this time of year is 3,800 cubic meters per second.