Low Danube levels force Romania to use rock blasts for power; energy crisis prompts consumption cuts.
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The Danube river level on its Romanian section is at an unprecedented low, leading to measures taken by Romanian authorities. To keep the second reactor of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant operational, they are using a controlled explosion near Parjoaia to divert water flow. Officials stated that without this action and dredging the riverbed, the entire power plant would have to shut down, which is risky as it supplies 20 percent of Romania’s electricity. The Danube splits into the Bala and Ostrovi branches; while the Bala branch carries 85 percent of the water volume, the Ostrovi branch feeds the Cernavodă hydroelectric plant. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan declared an energy crisis for August and requested voluntary consumption reductions from large companies, with Dacia and Ford already implementing production halts. Initial results showed a decrease in electricity consumption on August 3rd. Romania currently imports 2000–2500 megawatts daily to maintain supply. In Bulgaria, the Kozloduy nuclear power plant’s fifth and sixth reactors are operating at full capacity, supported by water from hydroelectric plants near the Serbian-Bulgarian border, following agreements between energy ministers of both countries.
