Kozloduy NPP faces operational challenges due to low Danube water levels

Kozloduy NPP Danube river drought energy security nuclear power plant water levels

Critical low water levels in the Danube River are impacting the operations of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria. For the first time in the plant's 52-year history, Unit 5 has undergone a preemptive capacity reduction of approximately 120 megawatts due to extreme hydrological conditions.

Energy Minister Iva Petrova has stated that while the situation is extreme and unusual, there is no immediate risk to the national electricity supply or the stability of the power system. To mitigate the impact, the Bulgarian government is studying the construction of a dam, potentially 250 to 300 meters in length, which could be completed within 10 to 15 days to maintain necessary water levels.

Experts have warned that a further drop of just 50 centimeters in the river level could necessitate even more significant reductions in the plant's output. The drought is also affecting energy production in neighboring Romania and Hungary, creating regional hydrological challenges.

Entities

Bulgaria · Danube · Georgi Kaschiev · Iva Petrova · Kozloduy NPP · Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant · Nikola Gazdov

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Bulgarian government is investigating the construction of a 250–300 meter dam to ensure plant operations. ruse.news · safenews.bg · www.actualno.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The current water column is approximately 31–32 centimeters below the required minimum level. trafficnews.bg · pik.bg
[● 2 SOURCES] A 50 cm drop in water levels would separate the country from a significant reduction in Kozloduy NPP capacity. fakti.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] The capacity of Unit 5 at the Kozloduy NPP has been preemptively reduced by approximately 120 megawatts since August 21. trafficnews.bg · ruse.news · pik.bg
[● 5 SOURCES] The Bulgarian government is planning to construct a dam between 250 and 300 meters long near the Kozloduy NPP. ruse.news · safenews.bg · adevarul.ro · biznis.rs · www.politika.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] A 50 cm drop in the Danube water level would lead to a significant reduction in the capacity of the Kozloduy NPP. fakti.bg
[● 5 SOURCES] The capacity of Unit 5 at the Kozloduy NPP was preemptively reduced by approximately 120 megawatts. trafficnews.bg · ruse.news · adevarul.ro · biznis.rs · www.mediafax.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] Energy expert Georgi Kaschiev noted that the shore station pumps require a minimum water column of 3 meters to operate correctly. trafficnews.bg · pik.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] Construction of the planned dam is estimated to take between 10 and 15 days. adevarul.ro · biznis.rs · www.politika.rs
[● 7 SOURCES] Energy Minister Iva Petrova stated there is no risk to the electricity supply or the stability of the power system. ruse.news · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · safenews.bg · www.actualno.com · adevarul.ro · +2 more