Romania's Nuclearelectrica began controlled shutdown maneuvers Thursday morning for Unit 2 at Cernavoda, its sole functioning reactor, after weeks of emergency river diversions failed to sustain operations amid a continued significant drop in Danube water levels.
The shutdown creates a 1,400-megawatt deficit in Romania's power grid. State forecasts show Danube inflows of 1,350 to 1,400 cubic metres per second through 19 August, far below the August multi-year average of 3,900. The energy ministry urged responsible consumption, particularly between 19:00 and 23:00.
Moldova, which imports 60 percent of its electricity via Romania, faces compounding pressure after declaring an energy and hydrological alert in late July. Its state firm Energocom holds only a framework agreement with Nuclearelectrica, not an active supply contract, though it facilitated Ukrainian power imports for Romania in early August. Moldova's environment minister warned water reserves must be conserved until autumn rains.