Romania restarts 300 MW coal unit as nuclear shutdowns strain power system

18 August 2026 Romania restarted the Rovinari Group 4 coal-fired power unit on August 17, adding nearly 300 MW to the National Energy System as the country manages the shutdown of both reactors at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, according to State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Cristian Bușoi. The unit was brought back into operation to strengthen supply during peak consumption and reduce reliance on electricity imports. Bușoi said peak demand was expected to reach nearly 7,000 MW on August 17 amid high temperatures and the resumption of some industrial activity. Romania's two Cernavodă reactors, each with an installed capacity of 680 MW, have been taken offline because the low flow of the Danube has limited the availability of cooling water. Bușoi said hydrological forecasts indic