Hungary fully shut down its sole nuclear power plant for the first time in its 44-year history on August 2, 2026, due to record-low Danube River water levels. Romania also cut nuclear output; both nations had previously reduced power generation as cooling-water levels fell to historic lows.
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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.
The closures increase dependence on imported power at a time when the grid is already under strain.
Record low water levels force nuclear output cuts in Hungary and Romania Reuters
Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia are also grappling with the effects of a series of prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall.
Record and near-record low water levels on the Danube and Rhine are disrupting European business as prolonged drought and heat reduce river transport capacity, curb nuclear output and strain industrial supply chains. The Danube has reached record lows along parts of its course, affecting tourism, shipping and industry in Central Europe, while the Rhine in Germany has fallen close to record lows du
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.
Hungary’s only nuclear power plant will shut down for the first time in its history due to record-low water levels on the Danube River, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Friday, adding that the plant may not come back online for several weeks as the river is expected to continue receding. The Paks nuclear plant, located around 90 km (50 miles) south of the capital Budapest, is operating at less
Hungary is shutting down the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, its only nuclear facility, after record-low Danube River levels left too little water for normal reactor cooling, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said. The plant, south of Budapest, normally produces about 2,000 megawatts and supplies roughly 40% to nearly half of Hungary’s electricity. Output had been cut to 240 megawatts before the planned full
Hungary is fully shutting down its sole nuclear power plant for the first time due to the record low levels of the Danube River, straining energy supplies and posing a major test for the economy and new Prime Minister Peter Magyar.
Record-low water levels on the Danube forced the Paks plant offline, leaving Hungary facing a potential power crunch. In neighboring Serbia, energy production at two hydroelectric plants has also been reduced.
Prolonged drought and extreme heat across Europe have also triggered an energy crisis. For the first time ever, Hungary announced the shutdown of the country’s only nuclear power plant, after water levels in the Danube fell to a record low. Peter O’Brien explains.
The nation is heading into uncharted territory by shutting the nuclear plant for the first time in its 44-year history.
Hungary is fully shutting down its sole nuclear power plant for the first time due to the record low levels of the Danube River, straining energy supplies and posing a major test for the economy and new Prime Minister Péter Magyar. One of the two reactors still operating at the Paks plant was shut down early on Sunday, with the final one powering down later in the day, according to Magyar. He cite
By Zoltan Simon Aug 2, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Hungary is fully shutting down its sole nuclear power plant for the first time due to the record low levels of the Danube River,...