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Hungary prepares shutdown of Paks nuclear plant as Danube water drops
Paks is running below half capacity, producing 965 megawatts instead of about 2,000, and the government expects the unit could be fully powered down by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the country’s only nuclear power plant, Paks, will shut down for the first time in its 44 years of service because record-low water levels on the Danube River are disrupting cooling operations. According to a report by SCMP Economy citing Magyar, the plant may remain offline for several weeks as the river continues to recede.
SCMP Economy reported that Paks is currently operating at less than half normal capacity, generating 965 megawatts of power compared with the usual 2,000 megawatts. The plant relies on Danube water to cool its reactors, and the low river level has tested the pumps’ ability to pull in enough water for full operations.
Magyar said further output reductions are expected later on Friday, and the entire plant is likely to be powered down by Tuesday or Wednesday. He added that the shutdown can be carried out safely and poses no risk to the public or the environment.
SCMP Economy noted that the Soviet-built, four-reactor facility accounts for nearly half of Hungary’s electricity production, meaning a full shutdown would substantially affect the country’s power supply.