Units 1 and 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant are being kept in a safe shutdown state, a situation that poses no risk to nuclear safety, while the resumption of their operation depends on the level of the Danube, the Nuclearelectrica National Nuclear Power Company announced on Sunday.
'National Nuclear Power Company SA (SNN) informs the public that Units 1 and 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant are being kept in a safe shutdown state. This situation poses no risk to nuclear safety. By design, the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant has several cooling systems designed to operate at different cooling water levels. These systems are activated and used according to specific technical parameters. Nuclear safety functions are therefore fully ensured at all times,' the company said in a release
According to the press release, the measures adopted by the Romanian authorities help maintain the redundancy of the plant's cooling systems.
'The measures adopted by the Romanian authorities help maintain the redundancy of the plant's cooling systems, particularly to protect the pumps. These measures complement the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant's own systems and reflect effective cooperation with all the institutions involved. Throughout the period during which Units 1 and 2 remain shut down, nuclear safety is ensured through redundant systems, specific procedures and teams of specialists on permanent duty. The situation affects electricity production alone. In view of the hydrological forecasts for the coming period, the units will remain in a safe shutdown state until the level of the Danube allows operations to resume safely,' Nuclearelectrica said.
Nuclearelectrica Chief Executive Mihai Laurentiu Gioara stressed that nuclear safety was the company's top priority and that the shutdown period was being used for maintenance work and measures to improve resilience.
Nuclearelectrica said it would inform shareholders and the public in a further statement when the units were reconnected to the National Energy System.
Meanwhile, Energy Ministry Secretary of State Cristian Busoi said in a Facebook post on Sunday that nuclear safety at Cernavoda was being fully maintained and that the situation was under control.
'Nuclear safety at Cernavoda is being fully maintained. Our priority is to manage the situation responsibly and resume electricity production under the safest possible conditions. We are facing an exceptional situation. The extremely low level of the Danube has made it necessary to keep both units of the plant shut down. Despite this challenge, there is NO risk to nuclear safety. Nuclearelectrica's management team and specialists have the situation under control. The safety systems are operating, the equipment is protected and the necessary measures are being implemented continuously,' Busoi wrote.
He stressed that the resumption of operations at the two units depended on hydrological conditions.
'The two units will resume operation only when hydrological conditions allow this to happen in complete safety. Romania needs a secure, stable and predictable energy supply. Protecting the strategic infrastructure at Cernavoda remains an absolute priority,' Cristian Busoi added.
