The shutdown of the second nuclear reactor on the Danube river comes three days after decades-low river levels forced Nuclearelectrica to shut down the first nuclear reactor.
Nuclearelectrica has two 706-megawatt reactors at Cernavoda on the Danube, accounting for roughly a fifth of Romania’s power production. The two reactors have never before been disconnected from the grid at the same time because of low water levels.
“The shutdown follows the most recent forecasts issued by the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA). In the event that certain parameters associated with low water levels of the Danube river reach the allowed operating limits, in compliance with nuclear safety procedures and standards, the nuclear power plant’s experts will implement the necessary operational measures to maintain safety margins, including the decision to shut down one unit or even both units if the situation requires it. Such measures are preventive and aim to protect nuclear safety and the reliability of the facilities,” Nuclearelectrica said in a statement filed with the Bucharest Stock Exchange on July 29.
The second reactor’s shutdown will increase Romania’s reliance on imports and pressure power prices that have already been increased by heatwave conditions in much of Europe that have driven demand for air conditioning.
In Romania, the energy ministry said on Monday (July 27) that peak power consumption this week was estimated at 7.3 GW, while domestic production was at up to 4.3 GW, prior to the second reactor’s shutdown. Romania’s production is at 7 GW on average.
Nuclearelectrica has also announced that “it continuously monitors changes in the Danube River water levels and collaborates with the relevant authorities to identify the appropriate time to reconnect the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant to the national energy system, in compliance with nuclear safety norms and internal procedures.”