KOZLODUY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OPERATING AT REDUCED CAPACITY DUE TO LOW DANUBE WATER LEVEL

SOFIA, AUGUST 20 /SRNA/ - Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy says it has to limit the operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant due to the low water level of the Danube, TASS reported.

According to the Ministry, the output of Unit 5 will be reduced by 120 megawatts starting tomorrow in order to prevent a potential emergency situation.

"The decision to reduce the reactor's output is part of measures to ensure the safe operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, which has become necessary due to the continuous, unprecedented and critical decline in the Danube's water level. The downward trend in the river's water level in the Bulgarian section continues," the Ministry said in a statement.

According to data from the Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River, the water level near the city of Ruse remained 124 centimetres below the zero mark over the past 24 hours.