Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant Shuts Down After Danube Water Level Hits Record Low

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 3, 2026 at 12:47 PM

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Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant Shuts Down After Danube Water Level Hits Record Low

Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant shut down on Sunday after the Danube River's water level dropped to a record low, forcing the 2-gigawatt facility to cease electricity generation. The shutdown prompted hundreds of companies and households to voluntarily cut power use, reducing demand by approximately 400 megawatts. Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned the plant could remain offline for weeks as temperatures are forecast to hit 40 degrees Celsius.

The Shutdown

Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary's sole nuclear facility with a 2-gigawatt capacity, relies on Danube River water for cooling. Water levels fell to an all-time low, forcing the plant to shut down Sunday evening. Before halting, the plant was operating at just 10% capacity. The facility's four Russian-built reactors are now offline. Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the shutdown could last weeks and called the next five days 'the most critical.'

Emergency Measures

Following a government appeal, more than 300 companies voluntarily reduced electricity consumption, including energy group MOL, Samsung SDI, Audi, and Denso. Combined with household cuts, the measures lowered total demand by about 400 megawatts. Magyar stated that mandatory restrictions are not yet needed but could be imposed quickly if necessary. Water use has also been restricted in over 100 cities and villages, including areas around Budapest.

Economic Fallout

With Paks offline, Hungary is expected to increase electricity imports. Tisza Party Vice President Mark Radnai estimated the cost of higher import prices could range from 100 billion to 200 billion forint ($315 million to $630 million). The Danube's low water level is also disrupting shipping and tourism, further straining the economy.

What's Next

The Hungarian government is set to monitor the power grid closely over the next five days and may impose mandatory electricity cuts if voluntary reductions prove insufficient. It remains unclear whether the Paks plant can restart within weeks or if the Danube's water level will recover, raising concerns over prolonged energy supply disruptions.

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Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant Shuts Down After Danube Water Level Hits Record Low

cumhuriyet.com.tr

Cumhuriyet

Perspectives

YouTube

Hungary nuclear plant to shut due to low water level in Danube

Reuters

Hungary's Paks nuclear plant will shut down due to record low Danube River levels

Associated Press

Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant faces shutdown as the Danube water levels hit record lows

Al Jazeera English

EU convenes emergency energy meeting as Paks nuclear halt cuts 2,000 MW from Hungary’s grid

The European Commission is convening an emergency meeting of its Electricity Coordination Group after Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant, which supplies nearly half the country’s power, was shut down due to record low water levels on the Danube. Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned the shutdown, the plant’s first complete halt in 42 years, could trigger an energy crisis as early as next week, with 2,000 megawatts of generation lost. The government has asked households and businesses to curb consumption during peak hours.

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Environment

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Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant Shuts Down After Danube Water Level Hits Record Low

The Shutdown

Emergency Measures

Economic Fallout

What's Next

Perspectives

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Perspectives

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