Europe faces energy and water risks due to severe drought

European energy crisis drought nuclear power availability hydroelectric production water scarcity

Severe drought and high temperatures across Europe are threatening energy security and water supplies. In Southeast Europe, analysts warn that low water levels could limit nuclear and hydroelectric power production through October. Romania has already declared an energy emergency after shutting down both reactors at the Cernavodă nuclear plant due to declining Danube levels. Meanwhile, Hungary's Paks plant, which provides nearly half of the nation's electricity, is operating at only 25% capacity but expects to gradually restart its turbines as water levels stabilize.

In Croatia, the drought has caused significant water scarcity. In Rijeka, the main water source's output has dropped by over 20% in two weeks, forcing the activation of the Zvir 2 emergency source. Despite official appeals for conservation, local water consumption has decreased by less than one percent. Additionally, the Sava river in Zagreb has seen record-low water levels, exposing large gravel banks and causing environmental concerns. Reports of a mass fish kill in the Sava have led to investigations into potential wastewater discharges from the CUPOV treatment plant, though the facility's operators deny any malfunction.

Entities

Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant · Damir Togunjac · Dan Jørgensen · Europe · European Commission · Komunalno društvo Vodovod i kanalizacija Rijeka · Nuclearelectrica · Paks Nuclear Power Plant · Rijeka · Vodovod i kanalizacija · Zvir · Zvir 2

Claims

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

[DISPUTED] The association Ekologija grada claims an unknown wastewater discharge from the CUPOV plant in Zagreb caused a mass fish kill in the Sava river. www.kurir.rs · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The EU Commissioner for Energy warned that high temperatures and low water levels are straining power production and consumption in Central and Southeast Europe. fakti.bg · petel.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] Low water levels could limit nuclear and hydroelectric power production in Southeast Europe until October. www.ekodezela.si
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Cernavodă nuclear power plant in Romania shut down both 706-megawatt reactors due to declining Danube water levels. www.ekodezela.si
[● 2 SOURCES] Hungary's Paks nuclear plant is expected to restart its six turbines gradually, aiming for full capacity by next week. fakti.bg · petel.bg
[DISPUTED] Zagrebački holding denied responsibility for the fish kill, stating the CUPOV wastewater treatment plant is operating within legal parameters. www.kurir.rs · n1info.hr · www.zagreb.info · www.index.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The Zvir 2 source was activated in Rijeka to supplement the main Zvir source as water levels dropped. www.novilist.hr · www.poslovni.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] In Rijeka, water consumption decreased by less than one percent despite appeals for conservation due to drought. www.dalmacijadanas.hr · www.novilist.hr · www.poslovni.hr