Romanian Nuclearelectrica starts shutting down sole working nuclear reactor

Romania’s sole operating nuclear reactor at Cernavoda has begun the process of being disconnected from the power grid after record-low water levels on the Danube, state nuclear operator Nuclearelectrica said Thursday. The drought-hit river already forced the company to shut down one reactor in late July. Nuclearelectrica has two 706-megawatt units in Cernavoda, together supplying about a fifth of Romania’s electricity. Romania has declared an energy emergency across August and asked consumers to cut use during peak evening hours. The energy ministry also started a 330-megawatt lignite plant and is leaning on increased wind and reservoir-based hydropower, while planning staged cuts for industrial users if required.