Hydroelectric power plants in Slovenia have produced significantly less electricity this July compared to previous years due to reduced water flows, according to Holding Slovenske elektrarne (HSE). The plants along the Drava, Soča, and lower Sava rivers are projected to generate 39 percent less electricity than they did in July 2025 and 52 percent less than the five-year average for the month. This decline comes amid worsening hydrological conditions, with low river flows continuing into July. Agence pour l'Environnement et l'Espace (Arso) noted that by the end of July, water levels were exceptionally low across several major rivers, including the Mura, Drava, Sava, Ljubljanica, Krka, Soča, and Kolpa in its upper reaches. Some areas are experiencing water levels comparable to the lowest recorded in the past decade. The impact of these conditions extends beyond Slovenia. In Hungary, the country's sole nuclear power plant, Paks, is set to be shut down from the grid due to historically low water levels on the Danube River. The lack of sufficient water for cooling reactors has forced authorities to consider a complete shutdown within the next 24 to 72 hours. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar confirmed the decision, stating that the loss of 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity could be offset through imports, which have a capacity ranging from 3,600 to 3,800 megawatts. Earlier, reactor block 3 had already been fully shut down, while block 2 was operating at half capacity. Similar issues have arisen in Romania, where one of the two reactors at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant was recently shut down due to low Danube water levels. Authorities there announced plans to shut down the second reactor as well. In Bulgaria, over 200 passengers had to be evacuated from a ship stranded on the Danube after water levels dropped too low to allow passage. The vessel, flying the Swiss flag, became stuck approximately 25 kilometers north of the city of Vidin. In France, high temperatures have also affected energy production, leading to a reduction in nuclear output. Nuclear energy accounts for roughly two-thirds of France’s domestic electricity needs, making the situation particularly concerning. Meanwhile, in Slovenia, the Krško Nuclear Power Plant continues to operate at full capacity despite the heatwave affecting other European countries. According to the plant's management, they have maintained safe and stable operations at full power while adhering strictly to environmental constraints related to the Sava River. Although the temperature of the Sava is currently lower than during the previous heatwave, the flow rate remains low due to insufficient rainfall. The reduced water levels have prompted discussions among energy experts about the long-term implications for renewable energy production in Europe. Hydroelectric power, which relies heavily on consistent water flow, faces challenges as climate change leads to more frequent droughts and extreme weather conditions. These developments highlight the growing need for diversified energy strategies and improved infrastructure resilience against fluctuating environmental conditions. As the current heatwave persists, further assessments will be necessary to determine the extent of the impact on both conventional and renewable energy sources. Energy providers across Europe are monitoring the situation closely, preparing contingency plans to ensure continuous supply amidst these unprecedented climatic challenges. The ongoing situation underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to environmental changes and the importance of adaptive measures in energy policy planning.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Slovenia
