Hungary plans to shut down only nuclear power plant amid drought

Hungary is shutting down its Paks nuclear power plant, which supplies nearly half the country's electricity, for the first time in 44 years. The shutdown is forced by record-low water levels on the Danube River, a result of severe drought and heatwaves. The government is implementing emergency energy conservation measures, including potential mandatory cuts for large users, as the crisis could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Paks nuclear plant shutdown

• ▪Hungary is shutting down its only nuclear power plant, Paks, for the first time in its 44-year history
• ▪Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated the shutdown can be performed safely and poses no risk to the public or environment
• ▪The Paks nuclear plant is located approximately 90 km (50 miles) south of Budapest
• ▪The shutdown is caused by record-low water levels in the Danube River, which is used to cool the plant's four reactors
• ▪Prior to the full shutdown, the plant's output was reduced from its normal 2,000 MW capacity to as low as 240 MW

Danube River drought conditions

• ▪Due to the drought, Hungary has placed more than 100 cities and villages under water-use restrictions
• ▪A prolonged drought and successive heatwaves since May have caused the Danube River to drop to record-low levels
• ▪A full shutdown of the Paks plant is required when the Danube's water level reaches minus 134cm
• ▪The river level was projected to fall as low as 144cm, surpassing the previous record of -98cm set in 2018
• ▪The low river levels have also disrupted shipping, tourism, agriculture, and industry in Hungary

Hungary electricity supply impact

• ▪Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country was ready to help Hungary with its energy situation
• ▪The energy crisis is projected to cost Hungary 100 billion to 200 billion forints ($315 million to $630 million) for imported electricity
• ▪The Soviet-built Paks nuclear plant provides nearly half of Hungary's electricity
• ▪A malfunction at Hungary's largest gas-fired power plant in Szazhalombatta also reduced power output by 400 MW

Government energy conservation measures

• ▪The government ordered a halt to rail cargo services during peak hours of 15:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT to reduce power demand
• ▪Hungary's government planned a decree to seek voluntary, and if necessary mandatory, power cuts from large industrial users
• ▪Prime Minister Peter Magyar said households would be the last to be affected by power restrictions
• ▪Public sector staff were ordered to work from home, and non-essential lighting on public buildings was ordered to be switched off