A cliff on the Danube is blown up in Romania to change the current and keep the nuclear power plant running (Updated)

Romanian military successfully blew up the underwater cliff Pârjoaia in the Bala branch area to redirect more water to the Old Danube and the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. Authorities are trying to prevent the shutdown of the plant's second reactor due to critically low river levels.

During the main detonation on August 3, 150 kg of explosives were used. Another 30 kg were used in two previous attempts on Sunday. Thus, the total mass of charges was 180 kg. The explosives were placed underwater by divers of the ammunition disposal group supported by the engineering brigade of the Romanian Army. 

After the operation, divers inspected the blast site and found that about four meters of the cliff had disappeared. Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță called the blast a success and said the military had completed their part of the work.

Barges with rocks are planned to be sunk into the Danube

The next stage will be to remove part of the cliff debris using a heavy crane. The rocks will be loaded onto barges, which will then be deliberately sunk at locations determined by experts.

A total of four barges are planned to be used. They are intended to form an artificial obstacle that will partially restrict the flow of water into the Bala branch and redirect a larger volume to the Old Danube – towards the Cernavodă NPP. Each barge can carry about 500 tons of rocks. 

According to the latest information, two barges will be loaded with debris from the blown-up cliff. Two more are expected to arrive by the evening of August 4. Their controlled sinking may take place on Wednesday morning, if this stage is approved by specialists of the National Administration "Romanian Waters".

Only 15% of water is reaching the NPP

The problem arose due to uneven water distribution at the point where the Bala branch separates from the Old Danube. According to the defense minister, about 85% of the river flow is directed into the Bala branch and then to the Borcea branch. Only about 15% of the water flows towards Cernavodă.

After the cliff demolition and the sinking of barges, the water level near the NPP could rise by about 10 cm. This reserve could be enough for the continued operation of the cooling systems for the second reactor while the Danube level continues to drop.

According to preliminary calculations by Romanian authorities, without urgent intervention, the plant could begin shutdown procedures as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Minister Miruță stressed that each additional day of NPP operation is approximately three times more cost-effective than the expenses of the current operation.

The cliff demolition is only part of a broader plan. It also involves deepening the Old Danube and constructing an underwater sill on the Bala branch. According to the defense minister, the river flow redistribution project had been blocked in the Ministry of Transport since April 2024, so the current works are being carried out in emergency mode. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Previously, KURS Ukraine reported that due to the Danube's shallowing, Romania had shut down the first reactor of the Cernavodă NPP in a controlled manner, which increased pressure on the energy system and wholesale electricity prices.

Based on materials from: TVR Info

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