Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Plant Faces Historic Shutdown as Danube Levels Hit a Crisis Point

Hungary is on the verge of a historic energy disruption as the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s only nuclear facility, moves toward a full shutdown because the Danube River has fallen to record-low levels. Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the plant could be powered down as soon as this weekend, marking the first time in its 44-year history that it has been forced offline.

The crisis is a stark reminder that climate stress is now reaching into the heart of critical infrastructure. Paks generates nearly half of Hungary’s electricity, and its four Soviet-built reactors depend on Danube water for cooling. With the river dropping too low for the plant’s intake systems to function properly, operators have already cut output sharply and are preparing for a complete shutdown.

A first in 44 years

According to Reuters, the plant’s reactors were already running at about a quarter of their combined 2-gigawatt capacity before the expected full shutdown. NBC News reported that Hungary’s sole nuclear plant would be shut down for the first time in its history, with the cooling system no longer able to draw enough water from the river.

The timing is especially serious because Hungary, like much of Europe, is enduring a severe heatwave and prolonged drought. BBC News reported that the country’s energy supply could enter a “critical” phase as temperatures remain elevated and the Danube continues to recede.

Why low water levels matter so much

Nuclear plants are not shut down simply because a river is low. The issue is whether the plant can safely cool its reactors, and at Paks the Danube is the source of that cooling water. NBC News said the exceptionally low water levels have tested whether pumps can bring enough water into the facility, while BBC News noted that the suction inlets can no longer access the river properly.

The plant has already been reducing output in stages. Reuters and other outlets reported that operators were preparing for full power-down as water levels were expected to fall further. Daily News Hungary reported that one reactor unit had already been taken offline and another had reduced output as the Danube reached record lows.

What this means for Hungary’s power grid

Paks is a major pillar of Hungary’s electricity supply, and its loss will force the grid to rely more heavily on imports, gas-fired generation, and other backup sources. Reuters said the plant accounts for nearly half of the country’s electricity, while NBC News similarly described it as a near 50 percent supplier.

That makes the shutdown more than a technical issue. It is a stress test for Hungary’s power system at a time when extreme weather is already tightening energy margins across Europe. Reuters reported that the plant was running at just a fraction of capacity before the planned shutdown, underscoring how quickly climate conditions can affect national infrastructure.

A broader climate warning

The Paks shutdown reflects a larger pattern: drought and heat are increasingly affecting rivers, cooling systems, and power generation across the continent. The Danube is one of Europe’s most important waterways, and when its levels fall, the impact can extend from agriculture and shipping to industry and electricity production.

For Hungary, the immediate concern is keeping the grid stable. For everyone else, Paks is a warning that energy systems built around predictable weather are becoming harder to rely on in a hotter, drier Europe.