The Paks Nuclear Power Plant's water intake structure and cold-water canal working with water from the river Danube is pictured near Paks on July 31, 2026. [Photo/Agencies]
Hungary has been forced to shut down its sole nuclear power plant for the first time in its 44-year history due to the record-low water levels of the River Danube.
The decision was taken late on Saturday after the Danube's already-low water level dropped again, said Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar.
"Due to the further drop in the Danube's water level, one of the last two generating units at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant will be shut down at 1:30 am," Magyar wrote on X. "As a result, the plant's output will fall to just 240 megawatts, and tomorrow it will be completely shut down for the first time in 44 years."
The facility, which produces more than 40 percent of Hungary's electricity and is located about 120 kilometers south of the country's capital city Budapest, draws Danube water to cool its reactors.
