Due to the extremely low water level of the Sava River, the Krško Nuclear Power Plant is proactively reducing reactor output to 80 percent, but the Minister of Economy assures the public that supply remains safe and stable.
As a heatwave dries up rivers across Europe, Croatia faces a new challenge in its energy sector. The Krško Nuclear Power Plant has announced that it will gradually reduce reactor output to 80 percent during the night of Thursday, August 5, 2026. The reason is the extremely high temperatures and the low water level of the Sava River, which limit the plant's cooling capabilities.
The plant stated that this is a preventive and controlled measure taken to comply with environmental restrictions regarding the river's temperature. They also warned that if hydrological conditions worsen further, output could be reduced even more. A return to full capacity is expected as soon as weather and hydrological conditions permit.
Amid growing public concern, Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar gave a statement to RTL, firmly dismissing the possibility of electricity price increases. "There can be no price increase. Supply in Croatia is secure; we have stable production and exchange. The system is safe," Minister Šušnjar stated.
His statement comes at a time when similar issues are emerging in neighboring countries. Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which relies on the Danube for cooling, has been gradually reducing output in recent days due to the river's record-low water level. Hungarian authorities have warned that if conditions do not improve, the plant could face its first complete shutdown in over four decades of operation.
Although there have been no major disruptions in the operation of nuclear power plants elsewhere in the region, wholesale electricity prices have risen noticeably in recent days. This is attributed to the heatwave, increased energy consumption for cooling, and reduced hydroelectric generation.
On the Croatian market, day-ahead delivery prices have been hovering around 180 euros per megawatt-hour, significantly higher than levels seen during most of the summer. Despite this, Minister Šušnjar's statement suggests that these market pressures will not, for now, translate into higher bills for citizens.
