On Friday, 31 July, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned that the Paks nuclear power plant might stay closed for an extended period due to dangerously low water levels in the Danube River. These low levels, described as some of the lowest in decades, have created conditions that make safe and efficient operation of the plant extremely difficult. The plant is currently producing just 960 megawatts, a fraction of its full 2,000-megawatt capacity. Four Russian-supplied reactors are operating at less than half their usual output and are expected to stop completely by 3 August as the Danube’s water level continues to drop sharply. On August 1, 2026, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (OAH) reported that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant was producing about 25% of its 2,000 MW capacity, with Units 1 and 3 shut down due to further falling Danube levels. Unit 3 entered shutdown at 15:00 local time on July 29 after a gradual reduction in output, while Unit 1 shut down at 05:45 local time on August 1. Units 2 and 4 also experienced a 50% power reduction on July 30 and 31, respectively. The Danube was measured at minus 131 cm at Paks, and a river forecast predicted further drops to minus 134 cm and minus 135 cm in the following days. Prime Minister Magyar stated that a complete shutdown could become necessary if the river levels continued to fall, with the plant expected to shut down if the gauge reached minus 134 cm. Magyar also mentioned that the full shutdown could take place as early as this weekend, with the operator stating a complete shutdown could become unavoidable within the next 24 to 72 hours if water levels remain critically low.
Energy demand and supply under strain
With a heatwave set to hit Hungary, electricity demand is projected to rise by 20% during peak hours, potentially overwhelming the energy system. In response, the government has called on major industries, including car and battery producers, to submit plans to cut energy consumption. MOL, one of Hungary’s largest companies, has already agreed to reduce its electricity usage by 40%. Similarly, Samsung SDI is taking action at its Göd battery factory, slashing water use by half and lowering electricity consumption by 10% during peak periods to help ease strain. Reuters reported that large industrial consumers had already committed about 240 MW of voluntary demand reductions, while the government authorized grid operator MAVIR to order mandatory industrial cuts if domestic production and imports proved insufficient. The possible return of approximately 400 MW from the Százhalombatta gas-fired power plant could help offset part of the lost nuclear generation. Magyar warned Thursday that an energy crisis could begin as early as Monday if conditions do not improve. He announced that anyone who fails to meet voluntary energy reduction pledges would face sanctions. He also stated that authorities could impose mandatory consumption cuts and temporarily disconnect specific large consumers from the grid if necessary. Freight rail services will be suspended during peak hours from Monday.
Plant history and climate impact
The Paks plant has long depended on the Danube for cooling, but experts now say there is little hope for significant improvement in water levels anytime soon. Prime Minister Magyar has said the low water levels could force the plant to remain inactive for several weeks, raising safety and energy security concerns. Despite these challenges, Hungary is relying on energy imports to maintain supply. The country has never fully shut down the plant in its 44 years of operation, though units have occasionally been taken offline for maintenance or technical issues, with at least one reactor always in use. The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority confirmed that the production changes were implemented in accordance with operating requirements that do not concern nuclear safety, and that the shutdowns and power reductions had no adverse effect on nuclear safety or the environment. OAH noted that the previous minimum Danube level at Paks was minus 98 cm in 2018, although this comparison could not be independently verified. Paks normally supplies nearly half of Hungary’s electricity, and the situation remains closely monitored as the Danube continues to experience historically low water levels.
The nuclear plant uses the river to cool its reactors, and pumps are struggling to keep up with low water levels. Speaking at a news conference at the plant on Friday, Magyar said further reductions in output were imminent later on Friday and that the entire plant would likely be powered down by Tuesday or Wednesday. He stressed that the shutdown can be performed safely and poses no risk to the public or environment. The Soviet-built, four-reactor plant at Paks accounts for nearly half of Hungary’s electricity production. If it is powered down, it would be the first time in its 44 years of service. Magyar said on Friday that the Danube’s water level has only risen on three occasions in the month of August in the last 20 years, and added that the level at Paks could recede to as low as negative 144cm — far below the previous record of negative 98cm set in 2018. Hungary and much of Central Europe has been in a prolonged period of drought in recent months, disrupting tourism, agriculture and industry and confronting residents with the realities of climate change. Water levels are not expected to rise on the Danube in the coming days or even weeks as no significant rainfall is forecast.
Hungary’s government has requested that large companies that consume large quantities of energy voluntarily reduce their consumption to help stabilize the energy supply, particularly in peak demand hours between 5pm and 10pm. Hungarian energy conglomerate MOL had committed to reducing its electricity needs by 65 megawatt-hours, a decrease of 40 percent from its normal consumption, Magyar said. Magyar announced on Friday that his party had recommended suspending parliamentary sessions planned for Monday and Tuesday in the interest of conserving energy. He also ordered that all state institutions turn off decorative lighting by Monday.
Hungary will shut down the Paks nuclear power plant on Sunday for the first time in its 44-year history, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said. He made the announcement on social media late Saturday night, saying the decision was taken after a further drop in the Danube's water level. The Danube has fallen to record-low levels in some areas after months of below-average rainfall and successive heat waves since May. Hungary's water authority projected that the Danube, which flows from Germany to the Black Sea, would fall further in the coming days. It measured the Danube's water level in Budapest at 23 centimeters (9 inches) on Wednesday morning, well below the previous record low of 33 centimeters (13 inches) set in 2018. As a result, output at the Paks nuclear power plant had already been cut earlier in the week and some reactors shut down. "Due to a further decline in the Danube's water level, the second-to-last generating unit at the Paks nuclear power plant will be shut down at 1:30 a.m. (2330 GMT)," the prime minister said. "As a result, the plant is now producing only 240 megawatts (of electricity), and tomorrow (on Sunday), for the first time in 44 years, it will be completely shut down," Magyar added. Hungary's large power users asked to cut power The surge in imported electricity prices could cost Hungary between 120 billion and 240 billion forints ($315 million to $630 million, €273 million to €546 million), Tisza Party Vice Chairman Mark Radnai said on Facebook. Magyar warned the Paks plant could remain offline for weeks and said his government would seek voluntary power cuts from large users, in addition to the 240 megawatts already pledged, with penalties for noncompliance. A decree would also allow grid operator MAVIR to mandate consumption cuts and temporarily disconnect large users if necessary. "Households will be the last to face restrictions," Magyar said.