Europe’s energy infrastructure and commercial shipping have been severely affected as this year’s drought is forcing authorities in several countries to take serious measures, faced with record low Danube water levels.
As the second longest river in Europe, covering 1,770 miles from western Germany to the Black Sea in the east, the Danube is key to the continent. But it has been hit by successive heatwaves since May. Romania shut down the two reactors at the Cernavoda plant, the first time both had been shut at the same time because of a water crisis. Hungary shut down its only nuclear power plant, which needs the river water for cooling. Serbia also has been forced to reduce power generation on its two biggest hydroelectric plants.
Navigation has also been affected. In Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, commercial ships cannot travel fully loaded and face lengthy waits. In Hungary, the river is at its lowest ever, while in Romania and Slovakia, it is at a 30-year low. Ferry services between Romania and Bulgaria have been suspended in two areas, while a cruise ship with almost 200 passengers had to be evacuated in Bulgaria after it ran aground on the Danube.
The climate crisis has also affected livelihoods. Fishermen in Bulgaria said they are unable to work as their boats have been trapped onshore because of the low water levels.
The disruption extends beyond a seasonal drought. By forcing nuclear reactors offline, reducing hydroelectric generation, and constraining one of Europe‘s most important commercial waterways, the Danube’s record low water levels expose a growing strategic vulnerability at the intersection of climate change, energy security, and critical infrastructure. As extreme weather events become more frequent, European governments face increasing pressure to strengthen the resilience of energy systems and transport networks that were designed for a very different climate, making adaptation a matter of both economic competitiveness and national security.
