Unit 2 of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant will remain connected to the National Energy System (SEN) after Nuclearelectrica specialists concluded, following the analyses carried out on Wednesday night to Thursday, that the reactor can continue to operate safely.
The announcement comes less than a day after the company and the Ministry of Energy had informed that Unit 2 was scheduled to be shut down in a controlled manner, starting Thursday morning, due to the extremely low flow of the Danube River.
According to a statement released on Thursday by Nuclearelectrica, the analysis of operating parameters and equipment showed that the reactor can continue to operate safely.
"The evolution during the night was stable for key parameters and, at this moment, there are the necessary conditions for the temporary continuation of the operation of Unit 2," the company specified.
Nuclearelectrica representatives emphasize that the operation of the two reactors is constantly monitored, and Unit 2 will remain connected to the SEN as long as all nuclear safety requirements are met.
Reactor shutdown may become necessary at any time
However, the company warns that the situation remains fragile. Depending on the evolution of the Danube's flow and hydrological forecasts, the shutdown of Unit 2 may become necessary at any time.
"Nuclearelectrica is making every effort to continue operating under maximum safety conditions and to contribute to the stability of the National Energy System by continuously analyzing and monitoring all parameters. Considering the current situation and hydrological forecasts, the shutdown of Unit 2 may be necessary at any time," the company stated.
On the other hand, Unit 1 remains shut down and will only be reconnected to the National Energy System once the Danube's level allows for safe resumption of operations.
Nuclearelectrica had announced on Wednesday evening that Unit 2 was to be disconnected from the grid due to the extremely low level of the Danube, affected by severe drought. The decision was based on the latest forecasts from the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA).
According to these estimates, the river's flow rate is around 1,650 cubic meters per second and could drop to around 1,600 m³/s at the beginning of August, nearly three times below the July monthly average of 4,750 m³/s. The values are comparable to those recorded in 2005 when the Danube reached one of the lowest flows in recent decades.
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan called on the population and major industrial consumers to voluntarily reduce energy consumption between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM when Romania is forced to cover the deficit through imports and additional production from gas-fired power plants.