Hungary has announced it will shut down its only nuclear power plant, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, due to record-low water levels in the Danube River that have reduced the water available for cooling its reactors. This marks the first full shutdown in the plant's 44-year history.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the plant, located in central Hungary south of Budapest, would be powered down on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. Output had already fallen significantly, dropping to 965 megawatts on Friday and further down to 240 megawatts overnight, well below the normal 2,000 megawatts.

The Soviet-built, four-reactor plant relies on water from the Danube for cooling, but the river's historically low levels have impaired the pumps' ability to draw sufficient water. The Danube, which flows from Germany to the Black Sea, is among several European rivers experiencing diminished levels due to months of heat and drought.

In response to the drought, Hungary has imposed water-use restrictions on more than 100 cities and villages. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country is closely monitoring the energy situation and is prepared to assist if needed.

The drought and successive heatwaves across Europe have also contributed to an energy crisis and widespread wildfires, forcing evacuations in countries such as France and Spain.

Sources