Hungary shuts down only nuclear plant as Danube hits record lows

Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies nearly half the country's electricity, shut down completely on August 2, 2026, for the first time in its 44-year history due to record-low water levels in the Danube River caused by extreme heat and prolonged drought across Central Europe.

The Soviet-built, four-reactor plant near Budapest had been progressively reducing output since late July as the Danube's water level fell below safe cooling thresholds. By August 2, all four reactors were offline, eliminating 2,000 megawatts from Hungary's power grid. The river level at the plant fell to minus 133 centimeters, exceeding the previous 2018 record low of minus 98 centimeters. Water levels had not recovered to sufficient levels as of early August, with forecasts predicting further decline to minus 144 centimeters or lower, and no significant rainfall forecast for at least ten days.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar declared the situation "the most critical five days" ahead and urged Hungarians to reduce electricity consumption during peak evening hours (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), particularly by avoiding air conditioning and charging electric vehicles. The government requested large industrial consumers voluntarily cut power use, with Hungary's MOL energy conglomerate committing to reduce consumption by 40 percent. Hungary nearly doubled electricity imports from neighboring countries to offset the lost generation capacity. State institutions were ordered to turn off decorative lighting, and parliamentary sessions were suspended to conserve energy. Government officials estimated the shutdown could cost the budget at least 50 billion Hungarian forints (approximately $158 million).

Romania faced parallel difficulties when one reactor at its Cernavodǎ nuclear plant was shut down due to low Danube levels on July 28, with a second reactor operating at reduced capacity. Romanian authorities conducted controlled explosions and planned temporary dikes to redirect water to maintain cooling at the remaining operational reactor. The European Commission stated it stood ready to convene an emergency meeting of its Electricity Coordination Group to coordinate regional response, though officials noted no immediate energy security threats to the broader EU.

The extreme drought affected multiple European countries and waterways. Water levels on the Rhine in Germany also fell to near record lows, forcing cargo vessels to reduce loads to approximately 20 percent of normal capacity. The Netherlands reported officially recognized water shortages. The low Danube levels also disrupted shipping, tourism, and agriculture across the region while exposing historical artifacts including World War II German warships scuttled near Prahovo, Serbia, mammoth remains in Bulgaria, and unexploded munitions in Hungary.