Nuclearelectrica, Romania’s nuclear operator, expects to reconnect Cernavoda Unit 1 to the grid on 6 November 2026, after a shutdown of more than three months caused by exceptionally low Danube levels that disrupted cooling-water supplies. The company said minimum safety conditions for resynchronisation have been met and restart preparations have begun.
Unit 1 stopped operating on 28 July 2026, while Unit 2 shut down on 13 August 2026 after reduced river flows constrained cooling water. Unit 1 has approximately 700 MW of installed capacity. Nuclearelectrica expects Unit 2 to remain offline until river conditions improve enough to support both units operating at once.
Operating Unit 1 will itself require substantial withdrawals of Danube water. Cernavoda’s two 700 MW reactors, commissioned in 1996 and 2007, normally account for approximately 20% of Romania’s electricity production. The planned restart would return baseload generation to a market facing tighter domestic supply and increased import requirements.
Nuclearelectrica lowered its projected 2026 net profit by 42.9% to 220 million euros, reflecting reduced electricity output from Cernavoda. Shareholders approved an 800 million euros European Investment Bank loan to help finance Unit 1’s refurbishment and extend its operating life. That longer-term programme is continuing despite the near-term operational difficulties.
The planned reconnection could improve Romania’s electricity balance, but restoring the plant’s full generating capability depends on sufficient and sustained river flow. Cooling-water availability remains a central operational risk for Cernavoda.
