Romania's National Administration for Water Management announced that the Danube's water level at Cernavoda fell to minus 227 centimeters yesterday. While the minimum level required to operate the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant has been set at minus 230 centimeters, the current situation is making it more difficult to operate the second reactor.
Barges loaded with rocks were sunk in the Danube to divert more water into the canal supplying the plant. Although the intervention led to a temporary rise in the water level, the river fell by another 5 centimeters after rising by 4 centimeters over the weekend.
Further decline in level expected
Romanian authorities are taking emergency measures along the Danube to extend the operating time of the reactor currently in service. Hydrological data show that the plant's operating margin is narrowing.
Officials forecast that the water level at Cernavoda will fall by about 2 centimeters a day until August 14, after which the rate of decline is expected to slow to 1 centimeter a day. The river level is expected to reach approximately minus 236 centimeters on August 16.
Pressure on electricity system increases
One of the two reactors at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant is currently offline. As a result, 680 megawatts of nuclear power generation capacity is unavailable.
Worsening hydrological conditions, high demand during the summer months and the exceptionally low flow of the Danube are increasing pressure on Romania's electricity system.
The Romanian government has activated a new mechanism in case current generation fails to meet projected demand. The mechanism allows the grid operator to cut off electricity to some large industrial consumers with 24 hours' notice.
Facilities whose operations must not be interrupted, such as households, hospitals and some energy infrastructure, are exempt from the measure.
