Climate crisis: Hungary closes nuclear power plant, Greece wildfires spread

Hungary has fully shut down its sole nuclear power plant, Paks, for the first time in its 44-year history. This unprecedented closure, announced by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, is due to record low water levels in the Danube River, which are insufficient for cooling the plant's reactors. The Paks plant, located south of Budapest, normally provides 40% of Hungary's electricity. The shutdown, with both reactors powered down by Sunday, strains national energy supplies and presents a significant challenge for the country's economy. Neighboring Romania has also reduced output at its nuclear plant and declared an energy sector alert due to similar conditions.

Hungary will shut down its sole nuclear power plant, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, on Sunday due to record-low water levels on the Danube River. The plant, which supplies nearly half of Hungary's electricity, requires Danube water for reactor cooling, and current levels are too low for its pumps to operate effectively. Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the shutdown, noting that output had significantly decreased. This is the first full shutdown in the plant's 44-year history. The drought affecting the Danube has also led to water-use restrictions in over 100 Hungarian cities and villages and impacted other sectors like shipping and agriculture. Slovakia has offered assistance if needed.

Hungary's sole nuclear power plant, MVM Paks, is set for its first-ever complete shutdown due to record-low water levels on the Danube River. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that the plant, which uses Danube water for cooling, is already operating at less than half capacity and is expected to be fully powered down by Tuesday or Wednesday. This unprecedented closure, driven by a prolonged drought across Central Europe, could last for several weeks as the river is forecast to continue receding. The shutdown poses no risk to the public or environment, but it significantly impacts Hungary's electricity production, as the Paks plant supplies nearly half of the country's power. In response to the energy crisis, the government has requested voluntary energy consumption reductions from large companies and ordered state institutions to turn off decorative lighting.

Hungary's sole nuclear power plant, Paks, will cease operations for the first time due to record-low water levels on the Danube River. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on Friday that the plant, located south of Budapest, is currently running at less than half its usual capacity. The Paks plant relies on the Danube for cooling its reactors, and the exceptionally low water levels are hindering the pumps' ability to supply sufficient water. The shutdown is expected to last several weeks, as the river is predicted to continue receding.