Water and energy are often treated as separate topics. One belongs to the environment, the other to infrastructure and the economy. But recent events in Romania have shown that the two are deeply connected.
A prolonged period of drought and exceptionally low Danube water levels have put pressure on several sectors at once: agriculture, navigation, energy production and water management. The situation has highlighted a growing challenge for Romania and many other countries facing a changing climate: how to ensure that critical systems continue to function when natural resources become increasingly unpredictable.
When the Danube becomes an energy challenge
The Danube is one of Romania’s most important natural resources. It supports economic activities ranging from agriculture and transport to industry and electricity production.
During periods of severe drought, however, lower river levels can create challenges for infrastructure that depends on a stable water supply.
One of the most visible examples was the situation at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, Romania’s largest source of nuclear energy. The plant uses water from the Danube for cooling purposes, meaning that river conditions are directly linked to its operations.
During the recent period of very low Danube levels, Unit 1 of the plant was temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure due to reduced water availability at the cooling water intake. The event demonstrated an important reality: even energy systems designed for reliability remain connected to natural conditions.
As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, infrastructure planning must increasingly consider not only energy demand, but also the availability and management of water resources.
Adapting rivers to extreme conditions
The low Danube levels have also affected navigation and water availability in several areas.
To respond to these conditions, authorities have implemented measures to maintain sufficient water flow in critical sections, including interventions to guide water towards deeper channels and improve navigation conditions.
Such interventions can provide immediate support during periods of extreme low water. However, they also raise broader questions about how river systems should be managed in a future where droughts and unpredictable rainfall may become more frequent.
The challenge is not simply moving water from one place to another. It is developing a long-term approach that balances the needs of ecosystems, communities, agriculture, transport and energy production.
Agriculture facing increasing water pressure
The agricultural sector is also increasingly feeling the effects of the water-energy connection.Romania is one of the European Union’s major agricultural producers, but many farming regions are increasingly affected by drought, reduced soil moisture and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
During dry periods, farmers depend more heavily on irrigation to protect yields. However, irrigation systems require energy for pumping and distribution, creating a direct link between agricultural resilience and energy efficiency.
The future of irrigation will therefore depend not only on increasing access to water, but also on using it more efficiently. Technologies such as precision irrigation, digital monitoring, improved water storage and better soil management can help reduce losses while ensuring that available resources are used where they are needed most.
Moving towards smarter resource management
Romania’s recent experience shows that water, energy and agriculture can no longer be viewed and managed independently.
A resilient future will require an integrated approach, combining infrastructure investments with smarter resource management. This approach is increasingly reflected in Romania’s climate adaptation and agricultural policies, which place greater emphasis on modernising irrigation infrastructure, improving water efficiency and strengthening resilience against extreme weather events.
Key priorities include:
- modernising irrigation networks;
- improving water efficiency;
- adapting energy infrastructure to climate risks;
- strengthening monitoring systems;
- investing in solutions that reduce pressure on natural resources.
These priorities are also aligned with broader European objectives on climate adaptation, sustainable water management and resource efficiency, supported through instruments such as the Common Agricultural Policy and EU recovery and investment programmes.
Large infrastructure projects will continue to play an important role. However, resilience will also depend on smaller, more targeted solutions that help landscapes, farms and cities retain and use water more effectively.
More information
For more information, you can reach out to the Netherlands Agricultural Network in Romania via: bkr-lvvn@minbuza.nl