Romania’s energy situation is fuelling deeper concern
The imminent shutdown of the last active unit of the nuclear power plant in Cernavodă is seriously affecting Romania’s power output
Ştefan Stoica, 12.08.2026, 14:00
The nuclear power plant in Cernavodă, south-eastern Romania has initiated the technical procedures for the controlled shutdown of Unit 2, its last operating reactor due to the low level of the Danube River. The procedures have been initiated in spite of the authorities’ efforts to keep it functional through a series of operations aimed at keeping the waters level at an acceptable point, involving the removal of stones or the controlled sinking of barges. According to the Romanian Waters National Administration, the river’s waters went down to a critical level, which does not allow the good function of the aforementioned power plant while the hydrologists’ forecasts are still unfavourable, with a flow around 1,350 cubic meters per second in the following couple of days. Unit One in Cernavoda hasn’t been operational since July 28 and the two units accounted for roughly 20% of Romania’s electricity output. In an attempt to offset the effects, the Energy Ministry will reactivate the coal power plant Rovinari 4 and will use within technical limits the extended capabilities of Hydro-Electrica, a state-owned company, which is Romania’s main electricity producer. Rovinari 4 energy compound, in south-western Romania, relies on coal reserves ready to be used in emergency situations or as a backup in case one of the three operational plants is damaged.
Electricity consumption at country level exceeded 8.000 MW on Tuesday night although production went under 6000 MW. Practically imports accounted for one quarter of the country’s electricity demand. Romania declared a state of energy alert in late July, which is to last for the entire month of August, against the backdrop of decreased electricity production, with repeated appeals from the authorities for responsible consumption.
Romania has called on the European Commission and the European Network of electricity transport operators to assess the available output capabilities, the level of balanced reserves, cross-border interconnection capabilities as well as the ability of the neighbouring countries to provide support in case the regional situation continues to worsen.
State Secretary with the Ministry of Energy, Cristian Buşoi, on Tuesday attended a session of the European Commission’s Electricity Coordination Group, where he presented the situation in Romania, the imminent closure of the power plant in Cernavoda and the legislative measures taken by the Executive to handle the situation. He explained to the EU officials that the closure of a coal power plant by August 31, which is also a milestone in the country’s PNRR, becomes very difficult under the present circumstances. As for the potential restrictions in energy supplies, these are going to affect neither household consumers in Romania nor its essential services, Buşoi said.
The European Commission has announced it is closely monitoring the security of energy supplies against the background of the drought and the low water levels in countries like Hungary, Romania and in southeastern Europe.
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