Romania Blasts Rock to Redirect Danube Flow to Nuclear Plant

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomePMN BusinessRomania Blasts Rock to Redirect Danube Flow to Nuclear PlantRomania’s military took unprecedented action to boost water flows toward the country’s sole nuclear power plant by detonating a rock formation in the Danube River.Author of the article:Irina Vilcu and Andra Timu You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Romania’s military took unprecedented action to boost water flows toward the country’s sole nuclear power plant by detonating a rock formation in the Danube River.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe Black Sea country has already shut down one of its two reactors at the Cernavoda station as low water levels in the Danube due to a drought prevent proper cooling of equipment. The decline in power output has prompted the government to ask companies and citizens to lower consumption, with the nation’s two largest car producers Renault SA’s Dacia and Ford Otosan already halting production until late August, acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said. The army used 180 kilograms (396 pounds) of explosives in a controlled blast to remove a rock constricting a branch of the river, interim Defense Minister Radu Miruta told reporters on Monday. The aim was to redirect water into the main channel feeding the plant to avert a shutdown of the remaining reactor after Thursday, he said.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe procedure also includes a move to sink four barges filled with rocks and other material by Wednesday to create an artificial blockade and send water toward Cernavoda.“We are very close to reaching the minimum water levels that allow the safe cooling of the nuclear equipment and we’re doing everything possible to boost the flows that go to the nuclear plant,” Miruta said. Romania has introduced a state of alert in the energy sector throughout August as power production declines substantially because of the drought and record-low water level in the Danube. The country, which relies on a mix of power sources including solar, wind and nuclear, currently imports about 2,000 megawatts every day to cover its consumption, especially during peak hours and at higher costs, according to Bolojan.“Some companies and public institutions have responded to our plea and are voluntarily taking measures to lower consumption,” Bolojan told reporters Monday. “We’re also preparing the needed framework to limit the power consumption of large companies, as a contingency measure in case the situation worsens.”Upstream in neighboring Hungary, Prime Minister Peter Magyar told reporters that water levels were sufficient to keep one of the four blocks running at half-power for another day at least at the country’s sole nuclear power station.Over the weekend, the government was preparing for the 2,000 megawatt plant to be shut down by Monday, but later said that forecasts for water levels have grown slightly more optimistic even if the situation remains tense.“The coming five days are going to be the most critical,” he said, with temperatures expected to peak at 42C (107.6F) during the week.—With assistance from Thomas Escritt.(Updates with comments from interim prime minister in third paragraph, Hungary in nineth.)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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