Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, is set for its first-ever full shutdown due to record-low water levels on the Danube River, Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced Friday. The plant, located about 50 miles south of Budapest, may remain offline for several weeks as the river is expected to continue its decline.
The Paks plant, built by the Soviet Union and featuring four reactors, currently accounts for nearly half of Hungary's electricity production. It has been operating at less than half its normal capacity, generating 965 megawatts instead of the usual 2,000 megawatts.
The facility relies on Danube water for cooling its reactors, but the exceptionally low water level has strained the pumps' ability to draw sufficient quantities. Magyar stated that further reductions in output were imminent and that the entire plant would likely be powered down by Tuesday or Wednesday. He emphasized that the shutdown would be conducted safely and would pose no risk to the public or the environment.
Hungary and much of Central Europe are experiencing a prolonged drought, which has impacted tourism, agriculture, and industry, highlighting the effects of climate change. No significant rainfall is forecast for the coming days or weeks, indicating that water levels on the Danube are unlikely to rise soon.
Magyar noted that the Danube's water level has risen on only three occasions in August over the past 20 years. At Paks, the water level could fall to as low as negative 144 centimeters, significantly below the previous record of negative 98 centimeters set in 2018. A level of negative 134 centimeters necessitates a full plant shutdown. Negative readings indicate the river has dropped below the gauge's zero reference point.
In response to the energy supply concerns, the Hungarian government has asked large energy-consuming companies to voluntarily reduce their electricity usage, particularly during peak demand hours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hungarian energy conglomerate MOL has committed to decreasing its electricity needs by 65 megawatt-hours, a 40% reduction from its typical consumption.
Additionally, Magyar announced that his party recommended suspending parliamentary sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to conserve energy. He also ordered state institutions to turn off decorative lighting by Monday.