Hungary to close its only nuclear plant due to low Danube water levels

Hungary’s only nuclear power plant, the Paks facility, will be shut down next week, Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on Friday. The decision follows a drop in the Danube’s water level, which has made it impossible to maintain the cooling required for the plant’s reactors. The shutdown comes as Central Europe endures a new wave of extreme heat, straining water resources across the region.

Paks, which supplies roughly 30 % of Hungary’s electricity, relies on the Danube for cooling water. The current low flow, driven by prolonged drought and increased water withdrawals for irrigation and industry, has forced the plant’s operators to halt operations to avoid overheating. The shutdown will likely prompt a temporary shift to other power sources, including natural gas and renewables, and may increase electricity imports from neighboring countries to meet demand.

The plant is scheduled to cease operations on 28 August, with a planned restart once water levels recover. Authorities say the shutdown will be closely monitored and that contingency plans are in place to maintain grid stability. The event underscores the broader challenges Central European nations face as heat waves intensify and water scarcity threatens critical infrastructure.