Romania has reactivated a 300 MW coal-fired unit at the Rovinari power plant this week to compensate for lost electricity from its sole nuclear facility, after record-low Danube water levels forced a halt in operations.

The Cernavoda nuclear plant, which normally supplies about 20% of the country's power, has both of its 680 MW reactors offline. The coal unit now adds nearly 300 MW to the national grid, according to Energy State Secretary Cristian Busoi.

The Danube has dropped to its lowest level in 90 years due to extreme heat and drought, leaving insufficient cooling water for the reactors.

The first reactor was shut in late July, and the second was taken offline last weekend. Nuclearelectrica, the state operator, confirmed the disconnection process began on August 13.

"We do not foresee a restart within the next ten days." plant director Romeo Urjan told AFP on August 13.

Hungary's sole nuclear plant at Paks, which provides one-third of the country's electricity, has also been affected and is using barges sunk in the Danube to help maintain cooling operations.