Drought threatens power supplies in Danube countries
Droughts, heat and falling water levels in the Danube are hitting central and southeastern Europe hard. Hungary and Romania are experiencing an energy crisis — whereas countries like Bulgaria are better prepared.
Severe drought across Central and Southeastern Europe is threatening power supplies, particularly in Hungary and Romania, as record-breaking heatwaves and lack of rainfall have severely impacted the region's economy and infrastructure. The Danube River's record-low water levels have forced the closure of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary, which currently operates at just 12% capacity and may be shut down completely if water levels continue to drop.
Hungary's energy crisis, the worst in decades, is primarily due to the country's unfavorable energy mix, with Paks nuclear power plant generating about 50% of the electricity produced and one-third consumed. The government has urged large energy consumers to conserve electricity, leading to production cuts by companies like Audi Gyor, MOL, and others.
Romania is also experiencing a severe energy crisis, with the Cernavoda nuclear power plant reducing capacity as one of its two reactors was taken offline. The country's energy mix is relatively balanced, but hydropower's vulnerability to droughts makes it particularly affected. Serbia faces similar challenges, with 65% of its electricity generated by coal and 25% by hydropower, resulting in reduced output from the Iron Gate hydropower plants.
Slovakia's energy mix is more diversified, with nuclear plants generating 60% and hydropower 20%, but the low Danube water level has affected cooling systems at nuclear plants in Slovakia.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
