Hungary has closed a reactor at the Paks nuclear power plant due to unprecedented low water levels in the Danube River, which provides essential cooling water for the facility, according to operator MVM.
The plant operates four reactors with a total installed capacity of 2 gigawatts, generating nearly half of Hungary’s electricity. Production from another reactor was already reduced by 254 megawatts earlier this week.
The shutdown, which took effect at 4:00 PM, will decrease the plant’s output to about 60% of its capacity. This decision follows emergency measures implemented in June during a record heatwave when the plant was exempted from limits on the temperature of discharged cooling water.
Meanwhile, the Danube’s water level has reached historic lows, disrupting cargo transport and river cruises along one of Europe’s busiest waterways.
Laszlo Gajdos, Hungary’s environment minister, stated earlier on Wednesday that water resource management authorities are on alert to help ensure cooling water supply for the Paks plant. He noted that four pontoons equipped with pumps and two floating cranes have been positioned near the plant, ready for use if needed, as forecasts indicate further declines in water levels in the coming days.
