Extreme drought and the record low level of the Danube River forced the Kozloduy NPP to switch to emergency operation.
After the capacity of the Fifth Unit was preventively reduced by 120 megawatts (about 10% of its capacity), energy experts warn that only a few centimeters separate our nuclear power plant from more serious restrictions. The situation remains dynamic, with the authorities assuring that there is currently no risk to the country's nuclear safety and energy security.
Another 50 cm drop separates the power plant from a critical point
The Chairman of the Association for production, storage and trade of electricity Nikola Gazdov commented to the Bulgarian National Radio (bnr.bg/horizont) that an additional decrease in the water level by 50 centimeters in the Bulgarian section will require a serious reduction in operational capacities. At the same time, nuclear expert and former member of the board of directors of the plant, Prof. Georgi Kaschiev, announced on bTV (btvnovinite.bg) that only 17 centimeters separate the shore pumping station from a complete shutdown.
For the stable operation of the circulation pumps, a water column of at least 3 meters above the axis of the impellers is required. Currently, this reserve is violated and has critically decreased to about 2.70 meters. If the level drops by another 20 cm, the pumps will have to be turned off to avoid dangerous vibrations, cavitation and structural damage. This will require a rapid shutdown of the reactors and a transition to emergency cooling through underground wells river basin.
Photovoltaics compensate for the shortage in the system
Despite the complicated hydrological situation, the Electricity System Operator (eso.bg) reports that the energy system is functioning stably. The reduced capacity of the Kozloduy NPP is being successfully compensated thanks to the record summer production of the RES sector. By mid-day, photovoltaic plants covered nearly 58% of domestic consumption, while the nuclear power plant provided about 25-31% of the total mix. According to data from Club Z (clubz.bg), the country has reduced its electricity exports by only 10% to guarantee the domestic market.
However, experts agree that if the low water level persists during the autumn-winter period, the situation will become dramatically more complicated. The reduction in sunshine hours will eliminate the solar buffer, which may lead to a deficit at the regional level and a serious jump in stock exchange prices, as neighboring Romania and Hungary are also experiencing difficulties with their nuclear capacities due to the Danube.
State measures and hydrological forecast
The Ministry of Energy (me.government.bg) together with the government is already discussing the construction of additional hydrotechnical facilities and temporary dikes, similar to the practices in Hungary. According to the official statement of the department, quoted by Investor BG (investor.bg), Sofia is in constant contact with Romania and Serbia with a request for additional controlled release of water quantities from the hydropower plants along the course.
The official bulletin of the Executive Agency “Research and Maintenance of the Danube River“ (appd-bg.org) in the evening hours shows a minimal rise of 2 to 4 cm near Ruse and Svishtov, but the levels remain critically below the conditional zero. Shipping throughout the Bulgarian The river has almost completely stopped flowing, and the hydrological situation remains in a state of complicated crisis.