Bulgaria’s authorities are preparing additional measures for the Kozloduy nuclear power plant as exceptionally low Danube water levels raise concerns about cooling-water availability. The plant has continued operating under its planned production schedule while technical teams review options related to water supply. The work focuses on ensuring access to adequate water if river levels fall further.
Cooling-water preparations for operating units and spent-fuel storage
Technical attention is centred on the plant’s riverside pumping station. Specialists are assessing ways to improve pump performance and reinforce associated hydraulic infrastructure to keep sufficient water reaching the site under more difficult hydrological conditions. Cooling arrangements for the operating reactor units and spent-fuel storage are also being monitored.
Plant personnel are considering preventive measures that could be activated if existing water-supply arrangements become insufficient. Additional contingency steps are being prepared in advance so they can be implemented more rapidly if Danube conditions deteriorate further. The immediate situation remains operational rather than a confirmed reduction in production, with scheduled generation continuing.
Energy ministry task force and regional coordination
The Bulgarian Energy Ministry has set up a dedicated task force to coordinate participating institutions and provide support to Kozloduy’s technical teams. This structure is intended to align responses as hydrological conditions change. The ministry’s preparation of contingency measures is linked to the possibility of worsening river levels.
The issue extends beyond Bulgaria because Kozloduy is the country’s largest electricity producer and one of southeast Europe’s key sources of nuclear baseload generation. Any material output reduction would affect Bulgaria’s domestic balance and could reduce electricity available for export to neighbouring systems. Bulgaria remained a significant regional exporter during 2026, including during periods of higher summer consumption.
Hydrology impacts across generation types and neighbouring systems
Authorities are discussing the hydrological situation with neighbouring countries and European institutions. Low river levels can affect hydroelectric production directly, while sustained drought can also constrain power stations that rely on rivers for cooling. Prolonged low-Danube conditions therefore have implications for electricity system operations beyond a single technology.
Water availability becomes a factor across multiple generation technologies, influencing how low-Danube conditions function as a regional electricity-market variable rather than only a Bulgarian operational concern.
