Hungary shut down its only nuclear power plant for the first time in 44 years on August 2, after record-low water levels in the Danube River left the facility unable to cool its reactors. The Paks nuclear plant, which normally generates around 2,000 megawatts and supplies roughly 40 percent of Hungary’s electricity, was operating at a fraction of capacity before the final reactor was powered down.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the shutdown after water levels at the plant fell to critically low points, far below the previous record set in 2018. Engineers had been reducing output for days as the Danube receded, but conditions deteriorated to the point where cooling operations could no longer be sustained safely. Magyar said the government would ensure household electricity supply remained the last priority to be affected by any restrictions.
The Paks facility, located about 120 kilometers south of Budapest, operates four Soviet-era reactors that have undergone multiple lifetime extensions. The plant relies entirely on the Danube for cooling water, making it uniquely vulnerable to the prolonged drought that has gripped Central Europe since early summer. Historical data shows the Danube typically reaches its annual low point in August or September, suggesting conditions may worsen before improving.
The economic impact is significant. Analysts estimate the shutdown could cost Hungary between 316 million and 632 million dollars due to surging imported electricity prices and reduced industrial output. The government has asked major energy consumers to voluntarily reduce consumption during peak hours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Hungarian energy conglomerate MOL has committed to cutting its electricity needs by 40 percent. Rail cargo services between certain hours will also be halted to reduce demand.
The crisis extends beyond Hungary. Romania also reduced output at its Cernavoda nuclear plant due to low Danube water levels, declaring a state of alert in the energy sector on July 31. The broader drought across Central Europe has disrupted agriculture, tourism, and industry, with multiple countries recording their highest temperatures on record this summer.
Magyar pointed to the deterioration of energy and water infrastructure during the previous government’s 16-year rule, including delays in modernizing the Paks plant’s cooling system. The shutdown has become a defining early test for the new prime minister, who took office earlier this year promising to rebuild Hungary’s institutional capacity after years of mismanagement.
The situation highlights growing risks to European energy security as climate change drives more extreme weather events. Nuclear plants across the continent rely on river water for cooling, and prolonged heatwaves and droughts are increasingly threatening their operations. Politico Europe Reuters
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