Dacia and Ford have suspended vehicle production in Romania following an acute energy crisis in Eastern Europe. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has ordered the halt of assembly lines at major car and van plants, with operations expected to remain suspended until August 19.
The Danube's low water levels and the nuclear cooling crisis
The energy crisis in Eastern Europe is being driven by record-low water levels on the Danube River. According to the report, these low levels have made it difficult to cool nuclear reactors, pushing regional power plants to the brink of shutdown. This environmental factor has created a direct link between river health and industrial stability.
In Hungary, the Paks nuclear power plant has already seen its output drop significantly, producing only 240 megawatts on Monday. While engineers have managed to keep a final operating turbine running temporarily, the report says a full power-down is likely to occur by Tuesday or Wednesday. This temporary fix has only delayed a potentially total shutdown of the facility.
12,500 employees impacted at Mioveni and Craiova
The production halt directly affects thousands of workers across two major Romanian manufacturing hubs . Dacia’s primary facility in Mioveni, which produces a vehicle every 55 seconds, has suspended operations until August 19. This factory alone employs more than 6,000 staff members and is a cornerstone of the local economy.
Ford Otosan’s assembly plant in Craiova is also facing a shutdown, affecting over 6,500 people. The suspension impacts the manufacturing of several popular models, including the Ford Puma crossover, as well as Dacia’s Duster and Bigster SUVs. The sudden lack of power has effectively paralyzed the assembly lines for these high-demand vehicles.
A looming threat to Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz
The instability in the Hungarian power grid poses a significant risk to other major automotive manufacturers in the region. As the Paks plant faces a potential total shutdown , companies including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Suzuki could see their manufacturing operations in Hungary impacted.. The crisis is no longer contained to Romania but is spreading across Central and Eastern Europe.
This regional instability is compounded by an impending extreme heatwave. With daytime temperatures expected to exceed 38C (100F), the demand for electricity and water is set to rise, further straining an already fragile energy infrastructure. The heatwave is expected to make the energy crisis even more difficult for governments to manage as they attempt to avert an emergency.
Can the August 19 resumption date survive the heatwave?
While the current suspension is slated to end on August 19, several variables remain unverified. It is unclear if the Danube's water levels will rise sufficiently to stabilize nuclear cooling before that date, or if the extreme heatwave will trigger further emergency conservation measures that could extend the shutdown. The source does not confirm if the plants will be able to resume full capacity immediately upon the scheduled date.
Additionally, the impact on the daily lives of citizens remains a critical concern. The low water levels on the Danube have already made it difficult for people to access water, and the combination of energy shortages and extreme heat creates a volatile environment for both industry and the general public. Whether the regional governments can successfully conserve enough electricity to prevent a total emergency remains the most pressing question.
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