Romania blasts rock to divert water from drought-hit Danube to nuclear reactor
Summary
Romanian naval forces used explosives to move a large rock in the Danube River to redirect water to cool the country's only working nuclear reactor amid drought conditions. Both Romania and Hungary have had to reduce or shut down nuclear power plants because low water levels threaten cooling systems, raising concerns about energy shortages in the region.Key Facts
- Romania conducted a controlled explosion with 180 kg of explosives to move a rock blocking water flow in the Danube.
- The operation aimed to redirect water to cool Romania’s remaining nuclear reactor at the Cernavodǎ plant.
- Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant, which usually supplies about half the country's electricity, is operating at less than half its capacity due to low river levels.
- Hungary expects to fully shut down the Paks plant next week because the Danube will remain too shallow for reactor cooling.
- Both countries rely on the Danube River for cooling their nuclear reactors, and heat and drought have lowered the river’s water levels.
- Romania declared a state of emergency in August due to reduced electricity production tied to the drought.
- Hungary and Romania are increasingly importing expensive energy as nuclear output drops and electricity demand rises.
- Other countries along the Danube, like Serbia, also face energy setbacks, with its main hydroelectric plant operating at just 20% capacity.
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