Energy experts warn of Paks II delays and EU policy risks

Energy expert Attila Holoda has raised concerns regarding the Paks II nuclear expansion project in Hungary, noting significant delays. He stated that as of 2026, progress has only reached the stage of two excavations, despite original plans suggesting both blocks should be operational by now. Holoda suggested that the Hungarian state should consider renegotiating or terminating the current contract to involve more European Union partners, such as French or German firms, to mitigate geopolitical risks and reliance on Russian contractors.

In a related discussion on European energy policy, legal expert Máté Tóth criticized the current direction of EU energy strategies, arguing that political motivations are overriding economic logic. He noted that the decommissioning of coal and nuclear capacities in countries like Germany has led to high energy costs, forcing industrial giants such as BASF and Volkswagen to relocate production or reduce staff. Tóth highlighted that while Europe phases out traditional energy sources, China is advancing in modern coal technologies and dominating future sectors like artificial intelligence and battery recycling.