Emergency Power Purchases from Ukraine
Romania has begun urgent electricity imports from Ukraine, with deliveries routed through Moldova. Nuclearelectrica, the company behind the nuclear plant, announced the move after the country faced a shortfall caused by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Cernavoda nuclear station. The reactor was taken offline because the Danube River had fallen too low, leaving insufficient water to cool its systems.
In response, the Romanian Navy carried out controlled explosions along the Danube. Charges were placed in rocks near the Bala branch in order to steer water toward the Old Danube and then into the cooling reservoirs at Cernavoda. The operation unfolded in several stages, though the rock proved more resilient than anticipated. Cernavoda is Romania's only nuclear power facility.
Emergency Measures and Cooperation with Ukraine
Romania's government declared a state of emergency on Friday as authorities scrambled to find electricity suppliers. Operators were scheduled to negotiate emergency assistance from Ukraine for evening peak hours. "The imported electricity will be used to offset the deficit caused by the Unit 1 shutdown at Cernavoda and, accordingly, to limit the impact on Romania's electricity market," Nuclearelectrica said.
Adding to the tension, Romanian airspace alerts were triggered twice by aerial objects approaching from Ukraine. The first alert was lifted around 09:52 after the object vanished without crossing into Romanian airspace. A second alert followed in the afternoon after radar picked up an object near the river border with Ukraine at 15:09.
Romania is also in talks with Bulgaria and Greece, as well as other regional markets, to cover as much of its evening electricity demand as possible — an effort that underscores the need for cross-border cooperation during energy emergencies.
This situation reflects broader energy strains across the region, where climate change and fragile supply chains are putting increasing pressure on power systems. For Romania, which has limited energy resources, imports are becoming essential for keeping its grid stable. Collaborating with Ukraine and neighboring countries may be the key to navigating the current crisis and securing long-term reliability.
As Romania navigates its current energy crisis, the situation in Ukraine presents an interesting backdrop. Recently, Ukraine's electricity exports surged significantly, outpacing imports by a notable margin. Understanding this shift is crucial for grasping the broader implications of Romania's reliance on its neighbor for power during this emergency. For more insights on the dynamics of electricity trade in the region, you can read more about Ukraine's recent surge in electricity exports.