Hungary shut its only nuclear plant for the first time in 44 years

Hungary shut its only nuclear plant, Paks Nuclear Power Plant, for the first time in 44 years due to record-low Danube River levels preventing reactor cooling.

The shutdown affects nearly half of Hungary's electricity supply, as Paks produces about 2 gigawatts, and occurs during a heatwave with temperatures up to 40°C.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the plant could stay offline for weeks without significant rainfall, and the shutdown poses no safety risks but stresses the power grid.

To reduce grid pressure, the government urges households, businesses, and public institutions to cut electricity use during peak hours (5 p.m.–10 p.m.), and MOL agreed to cut daily use by 65 megawatt-hours.

Government data shows drought also disrupted river transport, hurt tourism, and forced over 100 towns and cities to introduce water-use restrictions.