Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear power plant continues to operate normally despite exceptionally low Danube levels, providing an important source of baseload electricity while hydrological conditions disrupt power generation elsewhere in Southeast Europe.
Both operating units are producing according to the approved dispatch schedule. Bulgaria’s energy authorities expect the plant to maintain its current output for at least the next three weeks, provided the river continues falling at approximately the pace recorded during the previous week.
The assurance is commercially important because the region is already dealing with historically weak hydropower production and cooling-water constraints at thermal and nuclear facilities. Any material reduction at Kozloduy would tighten Bulgaria’s balance and could push additional demand into Romania, Serbia, Greece and the wider Central European market.
Authorities have introduced precautionary procedures and remain in contact with Serbia and Romania under regional arrangements concerning the management of the Danube. Bulgaria has also discussed whether Serbia’s Djerdap hydropower complex could, within its technical and operational limits, help maintain downstream water levels required for Kozloduy’s safe operation.
That possibility is constrained by Serbia’s own hydrological emergency. Inflows into Djerdap have fallen to historically low levels, substantially reducing hydroelectric production. Water-management decisions therefore have to balance nuclear cooling requirements, hydropower generation, navigation and environmental obligations along the river.
Kozloduy’s continuing availability gives Bulgaria a stronger position than neighbouring markets experiencing generation restrictions. It does not eliminate the risk. Prolonged heat, further evaporation and continued low upstream inflows could eventually reduce operational flexibility even where immediate production remains unaffected.
The market value of Kozloduy’s output is consequently greater than its energy volume alone suggests. Stable nuclear generation limits Bulgaria’s exposure to high-priced imports and gas-fired replacement power at a time when regional evening prices are already displaying sharp scarcity premiums.
