Low Danube shuts Hungary’s only nuclear plant for first time in 44 years
Hungary has shut down its only nuclear power plant, which provides half the country's electricity, due to record-low water levels in the Danube River. The shutdown comes during a severe heatwave, forcing the government to implement emergency energy conservation measures.
Why it matters
This highlights the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure to climate-driven environmental changes and extreme weather events.
Hungary has ordered a complete shutdown of its only nuclear power plant after the Danube River fell to record-low levels, leaving intake pumps unable to draw enough water to cool its four reactors.The Paks Nuclear Power Plant, about 50 miles south of Budapest, produces nearly half of Hungary's electricity. Its closure leaves the country facing a major power shortage during an intense summer heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C.According to Reuters and comments made at the plant, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the 2-gigawatt Soviet-built facility had already reduced output to around 10% of its normal capacity before shutting down completely.Record-low river levels force shutdownWater levels in the Danube at Paks are expected to fall to negative 144 centimetres, breaking the previous record of negative 98 centimetres set in 2018.
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