Key facts
- Hungary is sinking two barges in the Danube River to increase water levels.
- The Paks nuclear power plant, which supplies over a third of Hungary's electricity, is at risk of reduced operation due to low water levels.
- The Danube's water level is currently 122 cm below normal and projected to fall further.
- A further drop below 132 cm would force the shutdown of one of the plant's two turbines.
- A riverbed sill is also being constructed using 150,000 cubic meters of stone.
- 100 troops have been assigned to the project.
Hungary is employing an unusual method to combat the effects of extreme summer heat on its energy production: sinking two barges in the Danube River to raise water levels. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced Saturday that the operation aims to ensure the continued operation of the Paks nuclear power plant, which supplies over a third of the country's electricity.
Record low water levels on the Danube, a consequence of Europe's prolonged summer heatwave, have threatened the plant's ability to cool its reactors. Magyar stated on X that the water level near the facility is currently 122 cm lower than normal and is projected to fall below 132 cm on Monday, a threshold that would necessitate shutting down one of the plant's two turbines.
The sinking of the barges began Saturday morning. Hungarian media quoted Prime Minister Magyar reporting a 1 cm rise in water levels following the initial phase of the operation. In addition to the barges, authorities are constructing a riverbed sill using 150,000 cubic meters of stone to further impede water flow and increase levels. The Defense Ministry has deployed 100 troops to work around the clock on the project.
Nuclear power facilities across Europe have faced challenges this summer due to drought and high temperatures. Romania recently shut down a nuclear plant because of low Danube levels, and France has had to take several reactors offline due to heat waves and even a jellyfish invasion.