Romania had to import electricity for domestic consumption

Romania was forced on Wednesday to import electricity for domestic consumption, as the Iron Gates hydropower plant produced less than 30% of its capacity.

The drastic reduction in energy production is due to the drop in the Danube's flow, which today was the lowest in two years, only 55% of its normal September value.

Hydrologists recorded very little flow on the river today. Because of this, energy production is affected in the long term.

Cristinel Popescu, Hidroserv engineer: If we take the installed capacity on Iron Gates I, about 1.200 megawatts, so 194x6, that's about a quarter of the production of Iron Gates I. On Iron Gates II the installed capacity is about 300 megawatts, it produces 111, so about a third is of the capacity of Iron Gates. So, somewhere between 25 and 30% is the energy produced by the whole PF1, PF2 of the total installed capacity.

Because domestic sources are not producing enough energy, today, Romania has taken the necessary difference from imports.

Cristinel Popescu: We have a consumption of approximately 6.630 megawatt-hours, the instantaneous consumption, of which Romania produces around 5.200, we have an import of 1.400 megawatts per hour.

Because of the low water levels on the river, there are also tonnage restrictions to prevent ships running aground on the sandy sills.

Translated by: Radu Matei