Hungary Has Taken A Radical Step To Save Its Nuclear Power Plant From The Danube's Receding Waters
- 15.08.2026, 15:13
Prime Minister Péter Magyar reported on the initial successes of the measures taken.
The shallowing of the Danube has threatened the operation of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies a significant portion of Hungary’s electricity. Authorities are already taking urgent measures.
This was reported by Bloomberg.
After Hungarian authorities began flooding two barges, the water level in the Danube began to rise. This step should help ensure the continued operation of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant and prevent its complete shutdown.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar reported that the water level near the Paks Nuclear Power Plant’s pumping station has already risen by approximately one centimeter.
In addition to flooding the barges, workers are constructing an underwater barrier. Its purpose will be to slow the flow of the Danube and help raise the water level to the levels necessary for cooling the reactors.
It is expected that about 5,000 metric tons of rocks will be delivered to this section during the day.
The problem was caused by a prolonged drought amid the heat waves sweeping across Europe. Due to high temperatures, water bodies are drying up, and the reduced flow of the Danube is creating additional difficulties for the nuclear power industry.
The nuclear power plant is operating at only a quarter of its capacity
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant generates about 40% of Hungary’s electricity. Its maximum capacity is about 2,000 megawatts, but the plant is currently generating only 485 megawatts.
According to forecasts, by early next week the Danube’s water level may drop so low that one of the two turbines still in operation will have to be shut down. If the water level drops any further, the entire plant’s operation will be at risk.
A complete shutdown of the nuclear power plant will force Hungary to increase electricity imports, especially during the evening hours. In addition, this will result in significant financial losses.
According to estimates by Magyar, keeping the Paks Nuclear Power Plant offline will cost at least 50 billion forints, or about $159 million, per month. This figure does not include potential losses incurred by businesses due to restrictions on electricity supply.
The problem of low water levels has already affected the nuclear power sectors of other countries in the region. Earlier this week, Romania shut down the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, located downstream on the Danube.