Romania turns to Ukrainian power after drought halts Cernavodă reactor

What happened

Ukrainska Pravda English reports that Romania’s nuclear operator, Nuclearelectrica, has begun importing electricity from Ukraine to compensate for the shutdown of Unit No. 1 at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. The shutdown was caused by exceptionally low water levels in the River Danube due to drought, which forced the reactor to cease operations.

The company has warned that the shutdown puts the stability of Romania's power system at risk, prompting reliance on imports from Ukraine. Ukrainian electricity exports, which resumed in March after nearly a four-month break, are allowed only during periods when Ukraine’s power grid has surplus generation.

In May, Ukraine significantly increased electricity exports, by 2.8 times compared to previous months, illustrating its growing role as a regional electricity supplier despite ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, water levels in the Danube continue to fall, threatening navigation and already halting passenger river transport in Serbia.

Known from the source

• Nuclearelectrica is importing electricity from Ukraine due to a shutdown of Unit No. 1 at Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant.
• The shutdown was caused by low water levels in the River Danube from drought.
• Ukraine resumed electricity exports in March after a nearly four-month break.
• Ukraine increased electricity exports by 2.8 times in May.
• Danube water levels continue to fall, affecting navigation and causing passenger river transport suspension in Serbia.

What remains unclear

The situation underscores the vulnerability of regional energy infrastructure to climate impacts and the interlinked nature of energy security between Ukraine and its neighbors. It also illustrates the role of Ukrainian power exports in regional energy markets at a time of geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflict.

What remains unclear: Confirm current electricity import volumes and contractual terms between Romania and Ukraine. Verify most recent Danube river water levels and impact on navigation beyond Serbia. Check whether Romanian power system stability remains at risk and any official statements on mitigation. Ensure clarity that Ukrainian exports occur only during surplus generation periods.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Ukrainska Pravda English. Open the source.