Hungary PM flags ‘critical’ days ahead with looming nuclear shutdown
Hungary's 2-gigawatt nuclear power plant was running at just over 10% capacity on Sunday after the Danube, which supplies its cooling water, fell to a record low.
BUDAPEST: Prime Minister Peter Magyar has warned of a "critical five days" ahead for Hungary, as the drying out of the Danube River forces the country's only nuclear power plant, Paks, to shut down for the first time in over four decades. The heatwave looming over large parts of Europe has caused river levels to drop to record lows, endangering water supplies, river transport, and power generation.
The Paks power plant, which generates 2 gigawatts of electricity, currently operates at just over 10% capacity, relying on the Danube's water for cooling. Magyar expressed concern that the power grid, public services, and citizens will face significant strain during the upcoming days, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
The power plant will not generate electricity tomorrow, and Magyar anticipates that the plant could remain offline for weeks. The situation has also disrupted shipping and tourism, triggering water-use restrictions in over 100 cities and villages, including areas near Budapest. Magyar has urged all sectors to reduce or reschedule electricity use during peak evening hours between 5 pm and 10 pm, and the government may enforce mandatory restrictions on large companies starting Monday.
The crisis could cost Hungary between 100 billion and 200 billion forints (US$315 million to US$630 million) due to the rising cost of imported electricity, according to Mark Radnai, vice chairman of Magyar's Tisza party.
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