Dacia and Ford suspend production in Romania for the shortage of electricity

“ Asome companies have started maintenance and repair work. Dacia and Ford suspended production from today until August 19, which represents a reduction in consumption of 200 megawatts,” said Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, quoted by the EFE agency, after a meeting with representatives of 80 industrial companies.

The two reactors at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant together produce 1,400 megawatts, equivalent to about 20% of the electricity consumed in Romania.

On 28th, one of the reactors was shut down and since then the authorities have been trying to keep the second one in operation by increasing the level of water used in its cooling system.

The Danube flow fell to the lowest level in the last 40 years due to the lack of rain, the reduction of water from the melting of the Alps and the successive heat waves that have affected the region in recent weeks.

The Prime Minister also explained that the authorities and large industrial consumers agreed to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption between 19:00 and 23:00, when demand is higher.

According to Bolojan, the current Danube flow rate of 1,450 cubic meters per second is expected to drop to 1,400 cubic meters per second by the end of the week. The head of the government once again called on citizens, companies and institutions to reduce energy consumption.

It added that voluntary savings measures are already producing results, stating that today's electric consumption was 200 megawatts lower than usual.

The Government has also admitted that if these measures are not sufficient, it may impose mandatory restrictions in the coming days.

Despite the situation, the Romanian executive ensures that the security of energy supply is not at risk and considers that the increase in electricity imports should not lead to a significant increase in prices.

Meanwhile, Hungary faces similar problems due to the low flow rate of the Danube and announced that it will shut down the last reactor still in operation in the next 48 hours of its only nuclear power station.