The Romanian government has adopted a mechanism allowing the country’s transmission system operator, Transelectrica, to limit power consumption for industrial customers amid an electricity generation crisis caused by the ongoing heatwave and low water levels in the Danube. Transelectrica will also be allowed to curb or cancel electricity exports, according to the government’s decision. The authorities, however, have said the measures will not be applied unless the situation requires it, which is currently not the case.
As river levels across the region continue to decline due to the persistent drought, Romania has already taken steps to ensure sufficient water flow in the Danube for cooling its Cernavodă nuclear power plant, including dredging, blasting a rock formation on the riverbed, and sinking four loaded barges to raise the water level. One of the plant’s two reactors was shut down at the end of July, while the authorities are struggling to keep the second unit running.
The heatwave, which is forecast to continue in the coming days and weeks, has been causing problems with electricity generation across Southeast Europe. In Hungary, the Paks nuclear power plant is barely operating, while in Serbia, drought is hindering production from both coal-fired and hydropower plants.
In addition, nuclear power plant Krško in Slovenia, which also supplies electricity to neighboring Croatia, has reduced its reactor power to 80% due to high water temperatures in the Sava River. The plant’s operator has said it will further reduce output if the unfavorable hydrological and meteorological conditions persist.
Romania’s measures will not affect households
Under the Romanian government’s decision, effective until the end of August, the option to reduce electricity consumption applies only to industrial customers, while households and essential services, such as hospitals, are exempt.
Also, Transelectrica is required to notify industrial consumers at least 24 hours in advance before their supply is limited.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has said the measures will serve as a contingency mechanism and will only be applied if the situation in the national energy system requires it. On Thursday, he said that no industrial consumers were expected to be affected over the following 5-7 days, or as long as the second reactor at Cernavodă remained in operation.
Bolojan: No industrial consumers should be affected in the next few days
Bolojan, who is also acting energy minister, said that affected industrial consumers would not receive any compensation from the state in the event of limitations, adding that problems could only arise in case of disconnection, according to Profit.ro.
Transelectrica may reduce or cancel electricity exports
When it comes to exports, Transelectrica may reduce or cancel available export interconnection capacity, as well as scheduled electricity exports, according to the government’s decision.
Bolojan earlier said that exports would only take place during hours of surplus generation, meaning electricity would no longer be exported during evening peak demand, the portal reported.
