Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear power plant is set to reduce output again at its 1,000-MW unit 5 due to persistently low Danube water levels. The constraint limits operations and affects availability of a major baseload generator in the region.
The reactor is expected to lower generation by about 60 MW. This change reverses part of the capacity restored at the end of August, when unit 5 returned to around 950 MW on August 31 after river conditions briefly improved.
Unit 5 adjustments tied to Danube hydrology
Earlier, the plant cut unit 5 output by about 120 MW on August 21 as a precaution associated with low water levels. Kozloduy said the adjustments were intended to maintain safe operations while aligning generation with local hydrological conditions.
The latest reduction indicates that the late-August improvement was not sufficient to remove the hydrological constraint. Continued reductions could tighten Bulgaria’s export capacity and increase regional reliance on thermal generation during evening demand peaks.
Unit 6 generation remains near plan
Kozloduy’s unit 6, also rated at 1,000 MW, is expected to remain broadly in line with the production plan. Its output has also been reduced slightly in recent weeks, according to the latest figures provided.
Gross generation at the plant stood at around 983 MW on September 14. The renewed cut at unit 5 is expected to continue reflecting the ongoing impact of Danube water levels on operations.
