Romania Shuts Down Its Only Nuclear Plant as Danube Hits Record Low

Romania began shutting down both reactors at Cernavoda, its sole nuclear power station, after Danube water levels used for cooling hit a record low. One reactor was already offline since July 2026. The second followed after engineers exhausted extraordinary measures — blasting a rock formation and sinking four barges to redirect river flow. Romania now relies on gas, coal, and imports as cooling demand peaks.