Romania has been forced to implement significant curbs on industrial production as a severe heatwave and prolonged drought strain the country’s national power grid. More than 80 of Romania’s largest energy-intensive companies have been directed to scale back their operations to stabilize energy supplies and prevent widespread blackouts during peak demand periods.
The emergency measures come as extreme summer temperatures drive up domestic electricity consumption while simultaneously reducing generation capacity across several sectors. Low water levels in vital waterways, including the Danube, have severely impacted hydroelectric power generation and cooling capabilities for energy facilities, prompting extraordinary interventions by authorities to manage the crisis.
Also due to the record-low water levels, the only nuclear power station in Hungary, located along the Danube river at Paks, may be completely shut down, authorities have warned, unless rainfall lifts river levels.
