Hungary's only nuclear plant to shut down due to record low Danube water levels

Paks Nuclear Plant Shutdown

Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, is facing a complete shutdown for the first time. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that record low water levels in the River Danube, which the Soviet-era plant uses for cooling, mean the suction nozzles can no longer reach the water.

Regional Energy Concerns

The shutdown of the Paks plant, combined with an ongoing heatwave, could make Hungary's energy supply critical. Magyar has urged Hungarians to limit energy consumption during peak hours, specifically between 5 PM and 10 PM, by reducing activities like charging electric cars and using air conditioning. A "rotational shutdown regime" is also a possibility if conservation efforts are insufficient.

Danube's Record Lows

The Danube River has reached its lowest levels in 30 years across several countries, including Serbia and Romania, due to low rainfall and high temperatures throughout the summer. In Romania, one of the two reactors at the Cernavoda power plant, which supplies approximately 20% of the country's power, has already been shut down for the same reason. There are concerns that the second reactor might also need to be closed.

Climate Change Impact

Climate change is contributing to rising global temperatures, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service. This trend is leading to more intense summer heatwaves, increased pressure on Europe's water resources, and a higher risk of wildfires. The average July river flow for the Danube entering Romania is typically 4,700 cubic meters per second, but it recently dropped to 1,600 cubic meters per second, with further decreases forecast.