Hungary's Paks nuclear plant restores full output as Danube water cools

The Danube's water temperature fell below the regulatory limit of 30 °C, allowing the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary to raise its output to full capacity on Friday. The plant, which has a nominal capacity of 2,000 MW, had been operating at reduced output for a week because an extreme heatwave pushed river temperatures above the limit. Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy István Kapitány announced the change on Facebook, noting that the supply of electricity remains secure and wildlife is not at risk.

The reduction and subsequent increase were coordinated with the Hungarian Electricity Transmission System Operator (MAVIR). Under current law, water temperature at a point 500 m downstream from the cooling water discharge must not exceed 30 °C, though it may be raised to 31.5 °C in exceptional cases with ministerial approval. The announcement also compared Paks' capacity to Romania's Cernavodă plant, which operates at 1,400 MW.