Story perspectives

Romania declares energy emergency after both Cernavoda reactors shut

8/14/2026

Summary

Romania Shuts Unit

Romania began shutting Unit 2 at Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant on 13 August 2026 as Danube water hit record lows.
The plant, which supplies about 20 % of Romania’s electricity, shut Unit 1 on 28 July 2026; Nuclearelectrica said safety is unchanged and a restart is not expected within 10 days.
The government earmarked €2 million for rock-blasting and barges to raise Danube flow, while Hungary’s Paks plant is shut and building a weir using two 80-metre barges.

Summary

Romania Declares Emergency

Romania declared a state of energy emergency for August after both Cernavoda reactors went offline.
The Ministry of Energy invoked EU Article 14(2) and asked the European Commission and ENTSO-E for a support assessment.
The government activated a 330-MW lignite unit, brought Rovinari 4 coal online and can draw on about 4,000 MW of imports.
Transelectrica prepared staged industrial curtailments with notice, assuring households they would not face cuts.

Summary

France Shuts Reactors

Drought lowered water levels in the Danube, Rhine and Thames, hampering nuclear cooling.
France shut a record number of reactors this summer because heat and drought crippled river cooling.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham called an emergency Cobra meeting on August 12 to address the heat wave.
Triodos Bank’s August 8 report estimated the heat’s economic hit at €180 billion ($207.7 billion), mainly from lost productivity.

1 of 3

Romania Shuts Unit

Romania began shutting Unit 2 at Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant on 13 August 2026 as Danube water hit record lows.
The plant, which supplies about 20 % of Romania’s electricity, shut Unit 1 on 28 July 2026; Nuclearelectrica said safety is unchanged and a restart is not expected within 10 days.
The government earmarked €2 million for rock-blasting and barges to raise Danube flow, while Hungary’s Paks plant is shut and building a weir using two 80-metre barges.

1 / 3