Hungary sinks barges into Danube River to stave off energy crisis

Hungarian working crews are sinking two barges into the Danube River in an attempt to raise water levels and stave off an energy crisis.

Europe's summer of extreme heat has affected nuclear power production across the continent.

BUDAPEST, Aug 15 - Hungarian authorities will sink two barges in the Danube on Saturday to raise the water level at the Paks nuclear plant to avert a shutdown of one of its last two remaining turbines, as water levels are dropping, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said.

Hungary to sink two barges near nuclear plant to raise Danube levels to ensure cooling​​  Reuters

Paks nuclear plant ⁠i currently operates at around 25% of its capacity

Romania has shut down its only nuclear plant in a rare move prompted by the lack of cooling water from the Danube River. Hungary, meanwhile, is racing to dam the Danube, trying to keep its Paks plant online.

In response to alarming low levels of the Danube river, Romania's energy sector is on high alert. Unit one of the Cernavoda nuclear power facility has ceased operations due to water scarcity. To maintain unit two's functionality, emergency measures including river dredging have been implemented. Authorities have also u