Danube water level drop hampers navigation and energy production in Romania and Moldova

The Danube's flow has fallen to about 1,500 m³/s, causing a sharp reduction in river traffic and limiting the output of hydroelectric plants. In Moldova, cruise services have been halted and the two Danube hydro‑power stations are operating at very low capacity, while navigation has dropped to a minimum. The low water level also exacerbates water‑scarcity issues, with nearly 30 % of the Moldovan population still lacking tap water amid a severe heat wave.

The European Commission is closely monitoring the situation in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Moldova, warning that the reduced river level could affect nuclear power generation in the region. EU officials say there is currently no threat to energy supply security, but ENTSO‑E is in contact with national authorities and the Commission is prepared to convene an ad‑hoc energy coordination group if conditions worsen.