Paks Nuclear Power Plant faces energy security risks due to low Danube levels

Minister István Kapitány has addressed the emergency situation surrounding the Paks Nuclear Power Plant caused by unprecedentedly low water levels in the Danube. To ensure long-term energy security, the government is evaluating various solutions within the national energy mix, including the expansion of solar energy, the construction of wind farms through private investment, and the development of energy storage systems.

Technical solutions to mitigate the impact of droughts are also being considered. These include implementing closed-loop cooling systems or lowering existing cooling pumps to allow the plant to operate even during periods of low water levels. Additionally, plans are underway to extend the operational lifespan of the Paks plant, while the Mátra and Tiszaújváros power plants are expected to be completed by 2029.

Kapitány noted that the crisis has required intense, around-the-clock work, leading him to postpone personal vacations and limit his sleep to five or six hours a day to manage the situation on-site.