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The energy sector in Europe has entered a new phase of pressure as the drought continues and temperatures rise, after Romania was forced to shut down the last operational reactor at its only nuclear power plant due to the record low levels of the Danube River, which the plant relies on for cooling its reactors.

The decision has raised concerns about the worsening energy crisis in the region, especially in neighboring Moldova, which heavily depends on electricity imported from Romania to cover a significant portion of its needs, at a time when other European countries are facing similar repercussions due to declining river levels and rising temperatures.

Record Low Levels in the Danube

The Romanian company Nuclearelectrica announced on Thursday the shutdown of the second reactor at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant due to the ongoing and significant drop in the Danube River's water level.

The company had previously been forced to shut down one of the two operational reactors at the plant in late July for the same reason, before the continued decline in water levels led to the shutdown of the second reactor.

The company stated that it does not expect to restart the reactor for at least the next ten days.

The Cernavodă plant has two reactors, each with a capacity of 706 megawatts, which together provided about 20% of Romania's total electricity production, making their shutdown a significant blow to the country's energy supplies.

Romania Declares State of Emergency in the Energy Sector

Amid increasing pressures, Romania declared a state of emergency in the energy sector for the entire month of August and requested that companies and households reduce electricity consumption during peak demand hours.

The Romanian Ministry of Energy stated that it resorted to operating a coal-fired power plant with a capacity of up to 330 megawatts, while also relying more on wind and hydroelectric power generation, depending on the available water levels in the reservoirs.

Authorities warned that if these measures are insufficient, they may have to impose restrictions on electricity consumption for large industrial users during evening hours.

Earlier in August, the government announced that car manufacturers Dacia and Ford would halt production in the country until August 19 as part of measures to address the electricity supply shortage.

Moldova Faces Tough Choices

The repercussions of the Romanian reactor's shutdown are not limited to Romania, as neighboring Moldova faces an additional challenge in securing its electricity needs.

Moldova relies on electricity from Romania to cover up to 60% of its needs due to the electricity shortage, meaning that the cessation of Romanian supplies puts it in a position of more costly and difficult options.

Chișinău may have to increase its purchases from Ukraine, if Kyiv can provide the required quantities, or resort to buying electricity at higher prices from Western European countries, or implement a system of rolling blackouts.

Moldovan energy expert Sergio Tofilat told Chișinău radio that preparations should be made for a deterioration of the situation, including the possibility of power outages, although it is difficult to determine the severity of the situation at this time.

Drought Crisis Hits Nuclear Energy in Europe

Romania is not the only country facing the repercussions of drought, as its effects have extended to several nuclear power plants in Europe, which rely on rivers and water sources for cooling their reactors.

An analysis by the European Copernicus Climate Change Service showed that water flows in about two-thirds of the Danube River have dropped to the lowest recorded levels for July in 34 years.

In France, which relies on nuclear energy for about 70% of its electricity needs, a combination of factors, including drought and extreme heat, has led to a shortfall exceeding 20% of nuclear power production capacity this week, according to calculations by the French news agency based on data from the French electricity company EDF.

Thirteen reactors out of the 57 managed by EDF have been affected by the harsh weather conditions, in addition to the impact of jellyfish swarms on some operational processes.

Hungary Tries to Protect Its Nuclear Plant

In neighboring Hungary, the Paks nuclear power plant, which has four reactors that also rely on the Danube for cooling, faces similar risks.

Hungary has not yet had to shut down the plant entirely, but the continued drop in river levels has prompted the government to take exceptional measures.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Szijjarto stated on Wednesday that the government has ordered the construction of an underwater barrier or a low dam near the plant, aiming to try to control the water flow and raise its level around the facility.

Two barges, each 80 meters long, are also being placed near the Paks plant, with the possibility of submerging them to help raise the water level.

The Paks plant typically provides about one-third of Hungary's electricity needs, but it has been operating partially since late last month.

Drought Also Threatens Navigation

The repercussions of the Danube's low water levels extend beyond the energy sector, as the decline in water has caused severe disruptions to river navigation along the waterway that stretches nearly 2,850 kilometers from western Germany to the Black Sea.

Scientists believe that climate change caused by human activities has exacerbated the drought being experienced in Europe, warning that this phenomenon is likely to intensify in the future.

The Danube crisis highlights the increasing challenges facing European infrastructure in the face of droughts and extreme heat, as water has become a critical element not only in agriculture and transportation but also in maintaining the stability of electricity and nuclear energy supplies.