Record Low Danube Water Levels Force Nuclear Power Cuts in Hungary and Romania

Nuclear power plants along the Danube river in Hungary and Romania have been forced to reduce output or shut down due to record low water levels. In Hungary, the Paks nuclear plant may be completely shut down within 24 to 72 hours because the receding river can no longer provide sufficient cooling water. The plant has already shut down Unit 3 and reduced the capacity of Unit 2 by fifty percent, with water levels at Paks measuring -121 centimeters. Antal Kovács, the communications director for the plant, stated that while the facility is generally reliable and designed to withstand earthquakes, it was not prepared for water levels this low, noting that such a situation has never occurred in the history of the plant.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated that the country's electricity supply remains secure because Hungary can import between 3,600 and 3,800 MW of power. The government is also developing a contingency plan to temporarily limit electricity consumption for large industrial users if necessary, though hospitals and basic public services will be exempt. These energy challenges coincide with a level three heat alert in Hungary, where temperatures are expected to reach between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.

In Romania, the Cernavoda nuclear plant is facing similar issues. One reactor has already been disconnected, and the second may follow, with shutdowns potentially lasting one to two weeks. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has urged citizens to voluntarily reduce their power consumption in the evenings. Similar cooling issues have also forced output cuts at nuclear plants in France. Experts suggest these events highlight a seasonal risk driven by climate change, which increases the frequency of extreme heat and droughts.