Hungary Shuts Down Paks Nuclear Plant Due to Low Danube Water Levels

Budapest. Hungary has announced that it will completely shut down its only nuclear power plant, Paks Nuclear Power Plant, from Sunday as the water level in the Danube River has historically decreased. According to Prime Minister Péter Magyar, this center, which came into operation in 1982, is going to be completely shut down for the first time in its 44-year history. This center accounts for about 50 percent of Hungary's electricity production.

The Prime Minister said on Friday that electricity production had dropped to 965 megawatts and overnight to 240 megawatts. In normal conditions, this center produces about 2,000 megawatts of electricity. This four-reactor center, built with the help of the Soviet Union, uses Danube River water to cool the reactors. However, due to prolonged extreme heat and drought, the water level of the river has decreased significantly, creating a situation where the pumps cannot draw enough water.