Paks Nuclear Power Plant marks 51 years as VVER-1200 technology reaches milestone in China

The Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary is marking its 51st anniversary since the laying of its foundation stone on October 3, 1975. The facility, which utilizes the Danube river for cooling, saw its first block connect to the national grid in 1982. Currently, the plant operates four reactor blocks with a total capacity of 2,026.6 megawatts. In 2025, it achieved its second-highest annual production level, generating 16,097.9 gigawatt-hours.

In related developments for the VVER-1200 reactor technology, the Tianwan-7 unit in China successfully reached minimally controlled power levels in late September 2026. This milestone is significant for the upcoming Paks II expansion in Hungary, as it demonstrates the operational readiness of the Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors. Following this achievement, engineers will conduct low-power tests and turbine synchronization before the unit enters commercial operation, which is expected within 2026.