Danube water levels drop to record lows: Is Kozloduy NPP safe?

30.07.2026 | Energetics

Kozloduy NPP is taking emergency measures due to record low water levels in the Danube River. How is the safety of the nuclear power plant being guaranteed and what is the current situation in the region?

Снимка от Vislupus, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Kozloduy NPP guarantees its safety despite the drought

Due to the extremely low levels of the Danube River, Kozloduy NPP has implemented specialized measures to ensure the reliable operation of its nuclear units. A working group has been operating since the beginning of July, monitoring river levels in real time.

The river levels in recent days are the lowest recorded in the last decades, due to the prolonged heatwaves in Europe.

How is the plant cooled?

At the present moment, both power units of Kozloduy NPP are operating according to schedule. For comparison, low river levels have already led to the shutdown of capacities at Romania's Cernavodă NPP and Hungary's Paks NPP.