Severe Drought Triggers Energy and Transport Crises Across Europe

A record breaking drought and intense heatwaves are causing severe disruptions to electricity generation, shipping, and agriculture across Central and Southeastern Europe. The crisis is most acute in Hungary, where the Paks nuclear power plant is operating at approximately 12 percent capacity because the Danube river lacks sufficient cooling water. In Romania, one of the two reactors at the Cernavoda nuclear plant has been taken offline, prompting authorities to blast rock formations to redirect water into the river. France has also seen the shutdown of three nuclear reactors due to low water levels in the Meuse and Moselle rivers. While the European Commission states there is no immediate security of supply because imports are compensating for deficits, Hungary and Slovenia have issued early warnings regarding serious grid tension.

Beyond energy, the low water levels of the Rhine and Danube have crippled inland shipping. In Germany and Switzerland, freight costs have risen significantly, with some ships operating at only 15 to 30 percent of their regular capacity. This has led to increased fuel prices at Swiss gas stations and prompted the German government to consider lifting Sunday truck driving bans to maintain supply chains. In the agricultural sector, harvests for maize and sunflower crops in Southeastern Europe are expected to be significantly below average, while Swiss farmers anticipate lower yields for potatoes and sugar beets.

Public health and urban infrastructure are also under strain. In Germany, the Association of Towns and Municipalities is calling for a national effort for water supply, noting that half of all districts are facing groundwater stress. Meanwhile, aid organizations have warned that homeless populations are at life threatening risk due to a lack of shade and cooling. In the Netherlands, water companies report that while drinking water supplies remain sufficient for now, they face long term challenges regarding pollution and saltwater intrusion.