Romania Sinks 4 Danube Barges to Keep 2nd Cernavoda Reactor Running 9-10 More Days
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 6
Romania Sinks 4 Danube Barges to Keep 2nd Cernavoda Reactor Running 9-10 More Days
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 6
Summary
Four rock-filled barges were being sunk in the Danube on Thursday to push more water toward Cernavoda, where Romania says the second reactor could otherwise shut within five to six days.
The emergency move follows last week's shutdown of the plant's first reactor after extreme heat and scant rainfall drove Danube flow in Romania to 1,400 cubic meters per second—less than a third of normal.
Cernavoda supplies about 20% of Romania's electricity when fully operational, and plant director Romeo Urjan said the barges could extend reactor 2's operation to nine or 10 days once the effect reaches the site 60 kilometers downstream.
Romania has already dredged the river and declared an energy-sector state of alert on July 31, while urging households to curb evening power use as neighboring countries also face drought-related nuclear and power strains.
Could the desperate sinking of barges to save a nuclear plant signal the end of Europe's reliance on river-based power?
As Europe's mighty Danube dries up, what hidden historical secrets and looming energy disasters are rising to the surface?
The 2026 Danube Drought: How Record-Low River Flows Triggered a Regional Energy and Water Crisis in Central Europe
Overview
In August 2026, a severe drought hit Central Europe, causing the Danube River to reach record-low water levels and triggering a regional energy crisis. Romania declared a state of alert as its Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant lost cooling water, forcing emergency engineering works and military interventions to keep power generation online. Despite these efforts, electricity shortages led to increased imports and reliance on coal and gas plants. The crisis also disrupted river navigation, agriculture, and trade, while exposing the lack of energy storage and the vulnerability of river-cooled power plants. This event highlighted the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure and stronger international cooperation along the Danube.