Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant reduces output due to low Danube levels

The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria has reduced production at its reactors due to critically low water levels in the Danube River. Unit 5, which has a capacity of 1,000 MW, has seen its output lowered to approximately 850-867 MW, marking a significant reduction of about 15 percent. Reactor 6 has also experienced a slight reduction, operating at roughly 971 MW from its nominal 1,000 MW capacity.

The plant utilizes Danube water to cool steam in the condensers within the non-nuclear portion of the facility. Lower water levels necessitate reducing output to ease the workload on pumps and ensure safe operations. This is reportedly the first time in the plant's 52-year history that production has been limited by such extreme hydrological conditions.

Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova stated that the government is considering a project to build a dam near the plant to mitigate the impact of low river levels. Similar drought-related issues have affected energy infrastructure across the region, including the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Romania, which implemented similar measures in July.