Due to historically low water levels in the Danube River, Hungary has completely shut down its sole nuclear power plant, Paks. According to Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the gradual decline in the river’s water levels resulted in a shortage of cooling water necessary for the 2,000-megawatt facility. One of the two remaining operational reactors was powered down at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, with the final reactor following suit later that day.
The shutdown of the power plant, located about 120 kilometers south of Budapest and currently supplying 40 percent of Hungary’s electricity, presents the country with an unprecedented challenge. In response, the government is increasing electricity imports to cover some of the deficit. Furthermore, it has appealed to major industrial enterprises to voluntarily reduce their energy consumption. A new crisis plan has been implemented, which prioritizes electricity cuts among businesses, reserving reductions in household use as a last resort.
