Romania Blasts Danube Rock to Protect Nuclear Plant

Romania used explosives on Monday to clear a rock outcrop in the Danube and divert more cooling water toward its only operating nuclear reactor at Cernavoda.

The Romanian Navy carried out the controlled blast before work began on a temporary dike made from four rock-filled barges. Officials said the project should be completed by Wednesday or Thursday and could keep the reactor operating for about seven additional days.

Low river levels have forced Romania and neighboring Hungary to increase costly electricity imports. One of Cernavoda’s two reactors is offline, while Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant is operating at just over 10% of capacity after three of its four turbines were shut down.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the remaining turbine was operating safely after the Danube level stabilized slightly. Voluntary cuts by households and more than 300 companies have also eased pressure on the grid.

Romania has urged consumers and businesses to reduce electricity use. Planned maintenance and summer shutdowns at Dacia and Ford Otosan Romania are expected to lower demand, although Ford said its production pause had been scheduled in advance.

(Reuters, bak)