Hungary PM flags 'critical' days ahead with looming nuclear shutdown

Hungary's 2-gigawatt Paks nuclear power plant, which generates about half of the country's electricity, is running at just over 10% capacity after the Danube River fell to a record low.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the plant will stop generating on Monday, as the Danube is projected to drop further, and warned it could remain idle for weeks.

The shutdown is the first in over four decades for the plant, which uses river water as coolant and runs four Russian-built reactors.

Voluntary power usage cuts by households and over 300 companies, including MOL, Samsung SDI, Audi, and Denso, reduced demand by 400 MW, easing grid pressure.

The crisis may cost Hungary 100 billion to 200 billion forints due to higher electricity import prices, according to Mark Radnai of the Tisza party.