Budapest, Aug 1: Hungary’s only nuclear power plant is set to shut down for the first time in its 44-year history as record-low water levels in the Danube River disrupt cooling operations, Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Friday.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant, located about 90 kilometres south of Budapest, is currently operating at less than half of its normal capacity, generating 965 megawatts instead of its usual 2,000 megawatts. The plant relies on water from the Danube to cool its reactors, but the river’s exceptionally low level has made it increasingly difficult to draw enough water.
Addressing a press conference at the plant, Magyar said power generation would be reduced further before the facility is likely to shut down completely by Tuesday or Wednesday. He assured that the shutdown would be carried out safely and would pose no risk to the public or the environment.
The four-reactor, Soviet-built plant supplies nearly half of Hungary’s electricity, making the shutdown a major challenge for the country’s energy sector.
Hungary and much of Central Europe have experienced prolonged drought in recent months, affecting agriculture, tourism and industry. With no significant rainfall forecast, authorities expect the Danube’s water level to continue falling in the coming weeks.
The government has appealed to large industrial consumers to voluntarily reduce electricity usage, particularly during evening peak hours, to help stabilise the power supply. Hungarian energy company MOL has agreed to cut its electricity consumption by 40 per cent.
Magyar also announced that his party had proposed suspending parliamentary sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to conserve energy, while ordering all state institutions to switch off decorative lighting beginning Monday.
