Record-Low Danube Water Levels Force First-Ever Total Shutdown of Paks Nuclear Plant

Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, has been forced to shut down entirely for the first time in its 42-year history. The unprecedented closure was triggered by record-low water levels in the Danube River, which left the facility unable to cool its reactors.

The crisis peaked on Wednesday at 3 PM when Unit 3 was shut down after the Danube's water level at the site dropped to -118 centimeters. The water levels became so low that the plant's suction nozzles could no longer reach the river. The shutdown removed between 25% and 30% of Hungary's total electricity output during a period of extreme summer heat. Prior to the full closure, the plant had already been struggling, operating at a reduced capacity of 965 MW compared to its normal 2,000 MW.

This failure is part of a broader climatic trend affecting Central Europe, where the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average. The Danube, which traverses 10 countries, has seen water levels drop to their lowest in 30 to 60 years in several sections. The impact extended into Romania, where the Cernavoda power plant also experienced shutdowns of its 706-megawatt reactors due to the same scarcity. Data shows the Danube's flow where it enters Romania plummeted to 1,600 cubic metres per second, which is less than a third of the typical July average.

Because the Paks plant provides approximately 50% of Hungary's electricity consumption, its sudden absence during a heatwave with temperatures reaching 37C creates a precarious energy situation. The event highlights a critical vulnerability in nuclear infrastructure: the absolute dependence on stable water sources for cooling. When a nation's primary power source is disabled by environmental conditions during peak demand, it threatens national security and increases the risk of rolling blackouts for citizens and industry.

As Europe faces more frequent and prolonged droughts, the Paks shutdown serves as a warning for other river-dependent power plants. While the Hungarian government has indicated that protective measures are ongoing to safeguard national security, the long-term viability of these cooling systems in a warming climate remains a primary concern for regional energy planners.