Low Danube Levels Threaten Nuclear Power

Following Hungary's lead, Romania is also taking emergency measures in response to the record-low water level of the Danube, which is limiting the cooling of nuclear power plants and reducing their output.

Romania's state water management agency is building a temporary dam using four rock-filled barges to divert more water to the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. Shortly beforehand, the Romanian Navy blasted a rocky outcrop that had obstructed the river's flow. According to officials, the measures could extend the operation of the plant's only functioning reactor by around seven days. The second reactor was shut down last week because of low water levels.

In Hungary, only one of the four generating units at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant remains in operation, leaving the facility running at about 10% of its normal capacity. Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the plant came close to a complete shutdown overnight, but the decline in the Danube's water level has stopped and the river rose by 1.5 cm on Tuesday morning. Forecast rainfall in Austria and Germany has raised hopes that conditions will improve.

Both countries have urged households, businesses and public institutions to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption. In Romania, some manufacturers have temporarily curtailed production to ease pressure on the power grid.

(Reuters, bak)