Hungary Announces Unprecedented Shutdown of Nuclear Power Plant Due to Heat Wave
The shutdown could leave 6,000 residents without hot water and force Hungary to boost imports as officials warn of possible rolling power cuts.
- Hungary shut its sole nuclear power plant at Paks on August 2 after the Danube River hit record lows, forcing the facility to power down for the first time in its 44-year history and removing 40 per cent of the nation's electricity supply.
- Prime Minister Peter Magyar cited sustained drought across Europe and infrastructure deterioration during 16 years of Viktor Orban's rule, including delayed cooling system modernization, as underlying causes of the unprecedented shutdown.
- Laszlo Nagy, deputy director of the Paks plant, told reporters on July 31 that the situation is unprecedented, with the Danube reaching annual lows. The government boosted power imports and requested voluntary consumption cuts from industrial firms.
- Starting August 3, Budapest ordered trams and subways to run slower and turned off decorative lighting on state buildings to conserve electricity. Rail freight was halted at peak hours to mitigate grid strain.
- The crisis poses a major test for Magyar less than four months after ousting Orban, as temperatures are forecast to hit 38 deg C over the next six days with no precipitation expected.
100 Articles
100 Articles
The Hungarian nuclear power plant in Paks could be shut down for up to a month, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar told RTL. The plant generates half of Hungary's energy. The reason is low water levels in the Danube River, which cools the reactors.
As the water level of the Danube River has dropped to a record low due to a heatwave and drought sweeping across Europe, Hungary's only nuclear power plant faces the risk of a complete shutdown for the first time in 44 years. In response, the Hungarian government has requested businesses and households to conserve electricity to address the power shortage. Samsung SDI was also among the companies that reduced its power consumption. According to …
Hungary shuts down Paks nuclear power plant for first time in 44 years due to shallowing Danube Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has warned of a critical five days when the Paks nuclear power plant will not generate electricity due to heat and low water levels. The crisis could cost the country up to $630 million due to rising prices for imported electricity.
The Star Kuala Lumpur
XinhuaHungary faces "most critical 5 days" as drought threatens nuclear plant shutdown
BUDAPEST, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Hungary is entering its "most critical 5 days" as dropping water levels on the Danube River threaten the complete shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant amid an extreme heatwave, Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Sunday, warning that the plant could be shut down for more than a month.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
