Romania energy sector faces risks from nuclear shutdowns and high prices

energy crisis electricity prices Cernavodă nuclear plant renewable energy investment Dacia production

Romania is facing significant energy challenges as the government extends the energy alert status until October 31. The national energy system is under pressure due to low hydroelectric production, high gas prices in Europe, and the continued shutdown of both reactors at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, which has no clear restart timeline. Officials have warned that these factors could lead to very high electricity prices during the winter and the spring of 2027.

In the industrial sector, the Dacia vehicle plant in Mioveni has announced a temporary production suspension on October 9 and 12, 2026, to align manufacturing with current market demand.

On a more positive note, the renewable energy sector is seeing significant activity. Rezolv Energy has secured €561 million in financing for its 1.3 GW Dama Solar project, and Greek companies have invested over €5.5 billion in Romania's energy sector since late 2023. Additionally, the Neptun Deep gas project is expected to begin contributing to the national supply by mid-2027, coinciding with the EU's phase-out of Russian gas imports.

Entities

ANRE · Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant · Cristian Bușoi · Dacia · Dumitru Chisăliță · European Union · George Niculescu · Germany · Ministry of Energy · Neptun Deep · PPC · Rezolv Energy

Claims

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

[○ 1 SOURCE] Romania risks exporting cheap gas while importing more expensive gas, transferring costs to domestic consumers. ziarulunirea.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] The Neptun Deep gas production is projected to begin in the first half of 2027. evenimentsibiu.ro · ziarulunirea.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] On July 1, 2023, Romania's energy market prices exceeded 1,000 euros per MWh.
[● 2 SOURCES] The EU plans to restrict Russian pipeline gas imports starting September 30, 2027, with a possible extension to November 1. evenimentsibiu.ro · ziarulunirea.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] The EU plans to restrict Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports starting January 1, 2027. evenimentsibiu.ro · ziarulunirea.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Electricity imports reached nearly 3,400 MW on a Saturday evening. safenews.md
[○ 1 SOURCE] Romania's average spot market electricity price reached 238 euros per MWh.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Romanian government extended the measure allowing Transelectrica to reduce large industrial consumers' consumption until October 31, 2026.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Romania's internal electricity production fell to approximately 2,900 MW on the evening of October 3. safenews.md
[● 3 SOURCES] Electricity prices at 14:00 are approximately 51 euro/MWh, rising to about 435 euro/MWh by 19:00. spotmedia.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] Romania requires new production, battery storage, and capable grids to integrate them. spotmedia.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] German companies are showing growing interest in investing in Romania's solar and wind energy sectors. actmedia.eu