Slovenia joins regional nuclear slowdown as rivers run dry

Slovenia's only nuclear power plant will reduce electricity generation to 80% of its capacity as falling water levels and rising temperatures in the Sava River limit the availability of cooling water for its reactor.

The Krško Nuclear Power Plant will begin operating at reduced output overnight from August 5 to 6, STA reports.

Officials said further production cuts could follow if hydrological conditions continue to worsen.

The reduction marks the first time since 2003 that the facility has been forced to scale back operations because of low river levels. During that episode, the plant operated at reduced capacity for approximately three months.

The development comes as prolonged hot and dry weather places increasing pressure on energy infrastructure across Central and Southeastern Europe.

Water shortages are also affecting neighboring countries, with nuclear power plants in Hungary and Romania facing operational constraints due to low water levels in the Danube River, which is used for reactor cooling.

By Vafa Guliyeva