Low Danube levels force nuclear power cuts in Romania and Hungary, highlighting energy system vulnerabilities to climate change.
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Low water levels in the Danube River, exacerbated by heatwaves and drought across Central and Southern Europe, have forced Romania to temporarily shut down its second nuclear reactor at Cernavodă, which produces 20% of the country’s energy. Despite efforts like detonating rock formations to divert water, river levels remain critically low, leading to national alert status and voluntary production cuts in major industries. Experts explain that while drought does not affect the nuclear reaction itself, it impairs cooling systems reliant on river water, as warmer, lower-volume water reduces efficiency. Other countries, such as France, have also seen reduced nuclear capacity due to environmental regulations regarding hot water discharge. The situation highlights systemic vulnerabilities across energy, water, and climate change, prompting calls for greater energy diversification using resilient, low-emission sources like solar and exploring storage solutions like pumped hydro or batteries, which some neighboring countries are investing in more heavily than others.
