Key facts
- Hungary's sole nuclear power plant is Paks.
- Paks nuclear power plant requires Danube River water for cooling.
- Danube River water levels are critically low.
- A heatwave is anticipated in Hungary.
- Low water levels and heatwave threaten Paks plant operations.
- A shutdown would impact Hungary's electricity supply.
- Electricity demand is expected to rise due to the heatwave.
Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, is preparing for a potential shutdown. The reason for this impending closure is the critically low water levels in the Danube River, which is essential for the plant's cooling systems. The river's water levels have been significantly reduced, a situation worsened by an anticipated heatwave. The Paks plant relies on the Danube to draw water for cooling purposes, and with lower water levels, its operational capacity is compromised. A shutdown of the plant would represent a substantial reduction in Hungary's electricity generation capacity. This comes at a time when electricity demand is expected to increase due to the rising temperatures associated with the heatwave. The situation highlights the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to climate change impacts, particularly extreme weather events like prolonged heatwaves and droughts that affect water resources.