Key facts
- Prime Minister Péter Magyar expressed doubts about a nuclear power expansion deal with Russia's Rosatom.
- Magyar cited environmental risks as a concern.
- He also questioned adherence to the original contract.
- The nuclear deal was a signature project of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
- Record low Danube River levels are impacting nuclear plant operations.
- The project involves the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant.
- The expansion includes the construction of two new reactors.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar of Hungary has voiced significant doubts about a nuclear power expansion deal with Russia's state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom. Magyar cited environmental risks as a primary concern and questioned whether the project is adhering to the terms of the original contract. This deal was a flagship initiative of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Magyar's public questioning suggests a potential re-evaluation of Hungary's energy strategy. The expansion project involves the construction of two new reactors at the Paks nuclear power plant. Adding to the project's challenges are the current record low water levels in the Danube River. These low levels can impact the cooling systems of nuclear power plants, raising further operational and environmental questions. The Paks II project, as it is known, has been a point of contention due to its scale, cost, and reliance on Russian technology and financing. Environmental groups have previously raised alarms about the potential impact of nuclear waste disposal and the plant's water usage, especially in light of climate change-induced droughts affecting major European waterways.