Budapest dodges blackout as electricity import costs surge
The Hungarian government has called on citizens to restrict their electricity consumption to reduce strain on the grid following the temporary shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant.
Low water levels on the Danube forced Hungary’s only nuclear power plant, which normally supplies around half of the country’s electricity, to halt operations for the first time in 44 years on Sunday.
“The electricity market is stable, and supply is problem-free,” the government said, urging households to avoid the use of washing machines and dryers between 5 and 10 p.m. to relieve the grid.
Hungary has doubled electricity imports from neighbouring countries to keep up with consumption since last week. Imports are coming mainly from Czechia, according to grid data reviewed by Euractiv.
