Three-stage plan tied to intake basin water level
Romania has approved an emergency intervention plan aimed at maintaining cooling-water supplies for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant amid exceptionally low Danube levels. The measures would be triggered if the water level in the plant’s intake basin reaches 1.58 metres. Authorities said the approach is designed to respond as river conditions change.
The first stage involves positioning loaded vessels and barges across about 600 metres of the river. The objective is to redirect additional water toward the Danube-Black Sea Canal and the Cernavoda intake. This step would be applied before moving to more extensive works.
Temporary closure structure and pumping options
If the initial redirection is not sufficient, authorities could build a temporary closure structure of around 170 metres near the connecting canal. Pontoons and barriers are described as the preferred option, while a temporary stone dam is also being considered. The plan therefore includes multiple engineering alternatives depending on effectiveness.
As a final measure, high-capacity pumps would be used to transfer additional water directly toward the cooling intake. Both Cernavoda units are currently offline, with operators maintaining focus on cooling-water availability rather than generation restart timing.
Current river conditions and cooling requirements
The Danube level in the area has fallen to around 1.86 metres. Forecasts indicate below-average flows through September, October and November, extending the period of constrained water availability. Adequate cooling water remains necessary even when reactors are not generating electricity.
Authorities also cited earlier attempts to improve water availability, including blasting a rock formation and sinking barges to redirect river flows. Those actions did not provide a lasting solution. Any return to nuclear generation would depend heavily on whether Danube conditions improve.
