Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant
Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant faces a total shutdown due to record-low water levels in the Danube River, which are insufficient for cooling systems. The government has warned of potential energy shortages and is asking citizens to limit power consumption during peak hours.
Why it matters
This highlights the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure to climate-driven environmental changes and extreme weather events.
Image source, EPA Image caption, The level of the water of the Danube is so low that the nuclear power plant's suction nozzles cannot reach it
Hungary's only nuclear power plant will be forced to shut down entirely for the first time due to record low water levels of the River Danube, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has said.
The Soviet-era Paks power plant uses the Danube for cooling but the water level is so low that the suction nozzles cannot reach it.
Magyar warned Hungary's energy supply could become "critical" from Monday due to the Paks shutdown and the ongoing heatwave, which will see temperatures hover around 37C for a week.
Like much of Europe, Hungary has seen very low rainfall and high temperatures for much of the summer.
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