Hungary warns that it may completely shut down the Paks nuclear power plant in the next 24-72 hours

The extreme drought and low level of the Danube threaten the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe.

After the issues at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, Hungarian authorities warn that the Paks nuclear power plant, responsible for nearly half of the country's electricity, could shut down all reactors in the next 24-72 hours. Although the flow of the Danube is currently sufficient for cooling the facilities, the water level has dropped below the minimum record from 2018, and hydrotechnical modifications and climate changes contribute to this situation.

The plant is at alert level 3, and shutting down the reactors could become inevitable. Romania has also faced issues at Cernavodă, and Bulgaria is monitoring the Kozlodui plant. A possible simultaneous shutdown of nuclear power plants in these countries would significantly reduce energy production, increasing pressure on the regional electricity market. Operators emphasize that all decisions are made for nuclear safety reasons, but the evolution of the Danube's flow is becoming a critical factor for the operation of nuclear power plants in Eastern Europe.