Romania has extended special electricity emergency measures until 30 September as prolonged problems at the Cernavoda nuclear plant increase reliance on imports and thermal generation.
Low Danube levels have prevented normal nuclear availability, removing a major source of low-variable-cost baseload generation.
The September balance could tighten further if weaker wind and solar output coincides with continued high temperatures and elevated peak demand.
Romania has already increased reliance on neighbouring systems to compensate for the nuclear shortfall. Nuclearelectrica has sourced electricity of Ukrainian origin through Moldova’s Energocom, while authorities have also explored additional access to Ukrainian nuclear generation.
Imports are not risk-free.
Romanian authorities are concerned that further damage to Ukrainian energy infrastructure could reduce regional export availability at the same time Romania requires additional electricity.
The emergency framework allows generators capable of switching fuels to maintain additional reserves and permits units held in technical reserve to return to operation.
Authorities can also reduce export-oriented interconnection capacity or scheduled cross-border exchanges if security of supply deteriorates.
Industrial demand curtailment remains a last-resort option.
The measures add another source of uncertainty for SEE cross-border trading.
Romania is normally an important regional generation and transit market. A prolonged domestic deficit could increase competition for imports from Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia and reduce available export liquidity during already-expensive evening periods.
Until Danube conditions improve and Cernavoda capacity returns, Romanian availability remains one of the most important fundamental risks for September SEE power prices.
