Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant Shut Down Amid Record Low Danube Levels FAST-MOVING

Paks nuclear plant Danube low water Hungary energy shutdown power supply

Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant at Paks is being shut down after the Danube River fell to historic low levels, compromising reactor cooling. Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced that the penultimate block would be taken offline at 01:30 CET on 2 August 2026, leaving the plant operating at only 240 MW – about one‑quarter of its normal capacity. This marks the first complete shutdown of the plant in its 44‑year history.

Paks supplies roughly 40 % of Hungary’s electricity, so the reduction threatens the national grid and is expected to raise the state budget cost by at least 50 billion forints (≈ 137 million €). The government has imposed emergency energy‑saving measures, urging households and large industrial users to cut consumption, especially between 17:00‑22:00. Slovakia’s government said it is ready to assist Hungary with the emerging energy shortfall.

The plant’s cooling system relies on Danube water; the river’s level dropped to –134 cm at Paks, well below the –98 cm record of 2018. If the level falls further, the remaining block could also be shut down, ending all nuclear generation at the site.

Entities: Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant · Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant · Danube River · Hungarian government · Iași · Ilie Bolojan · MVM · MVM (Hungarian State Energy Company) · Mihai Chirica · Nuclearelectrica · Oana Toiu · Paks Nuclear Power Plant

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[● 2 SOURCES] AFM will accelerate verification of final transfer requests to ensure rapid reimbursements. (new)
[● 2 SOURCES] AFM will monitor the projects for at least five years for large enterprises and three years for SMEs. (new)
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[○ 1 SOURCE] The taxi association has asked the government to postpone the rule change until legal and technical adjustments are made. (taxi association request)
[DISPUTED] From 3 August 2026 Budapest Airport will discontinue the 5‑minute free‑passage privilege for taxis in its parking zones, including the premium lot at Terminal 2. (airport policy change)
[● 2 SOURCES] The airport states the policy aligns with practices at many international airports and aims to make infrastructure‑use costs transparent and equitable. (airport explanation)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The airport says a uniform fee will apply to all passenger‑transport services using the designated area. (airport statement)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The change applies specifically to taxis registered in Budapest, which previously enjoyed an exemption from parking fees. (airport announcement)
[● 4 SOURCES] The Budapest Taxi Association claims the loss of free passage will force passengers to pay parking fees and reduce service quality. (8c9ea03a-464f-4bf0-bab6-ad19aef11ce5)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Budapest Airport says the new rule will not create extra costs for taxi drivers. (airport statement)
[● 4 SOURCES] The Romanian government declared a national energy alert for August. (existing)