Hungary braces for a full shutdown of the Paks nuclear plant as the Danube River hits record lows

The Paks nuclear plant, located around 90 kilometres (50 miles) south of the capital Budapest, is operating at less than half its normal capacity, producing 965 megawatts of power rather than the usual 2,000.

Hungary's only nuclear power plant is shutting down for the first time due to record-low water levels on the Danube River

Hungary's only nuclear power plant is shutting down for the first time due to record-low water levels on the Danube River

Hungary braces for a full shutdown of the Paks nuclear plant as the Danube River hits record lows  AP News

Hungarian PM Péter Magyar has warned of an energy crisis after record-low Danube water levels forced the shutdown of the Paks nuclear plant, which supplies nearly half the country's power.

Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia are also grappling with the effects of a series of prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall.

Power prices soar as Danube nuclear plants go offline  euractiv.com

Historically low water levels along Europe's second-longest river have led Hungary and Romania to reduce output at key nuclear plants. Danube tourism and river cargo have also been severely affected by Europe's heatwave.

Record-low water levels in the river – blamed on climate change and historic mismanagement – are affecting agriculture, shipping and energy production.

Low river levels have also forced neighbouring Hungary to shut down one of its four Paks power plant reactors.

28 July 2026 Romania's state-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica announced that it will carry out a controlled shutdown of Unit 1 at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant on Tuesday, July 28, after the Danube River reached an unprecedented low level due to severe drought. Authorities said the measure is preventiv