Lead

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the Paks nuclear power plant may continue operating at its current reduced capacity until “Monday or Tuesday,” according to reports carried by TASS. The plant, which relies on Danube water for cooling, has been grappling with record-low river levels that have prompted output cuts and raised the prospect of a full shutdown.

Coverage comparison

TASS, citing Reuters, reported that Magyar made the statement on August 3, indicating the plant could run at reduced capacity for a few more days. The agency also noted that the plant is expected to shut down completely later this week due to the Danube’s record-low water levels. Earlier reports, also attributed to Reuters, said the Paks NPP was operating at just over 10% of its full capacity.

On July 31, TASS reported that Magyar had said operations at the plant could be suspended for several weeks because of falling water levels. According to that report, the plant was expected to suspend operations starting August 3. The TASS article compiled key facts about the situation, drawing on Reuters reporting.

Key claims

  • The Paks NPP is operating at just over 10% of its full capacity, according to earlier reports cited by TASS.
  • The plant is expected to shut down completely later this week because of record-low water levels in the Danube, as reported by TASS citing Reuters.
  • The reactors are cooled using water from the Danube, according to the same reporting.
  • Electricity generation at one reactor unit was suspended because of the Danube’s record-low water levels, as reported by TASS citing Reuters on July 29. The shutdown took place at 3:00 p.m. Moscow time.
  • Energy Minister Istvan Kapitany said the country’s power supply system remains reliable, but decisions had been made to reduce electricity generation at Units 1 and 3 of the plant.
  • Electricity generation at Unit 2 was reduced by 50% because of declining water levels, according to TASS citing Reuters on July 30.
  • Water levels have fallen along the entire length of the Danube River. Slovakia has recorded the river’s lowest water level in the past 30 years, and similar conditions have been observed in Serbia and Romania.
  • In Romania, the operator of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, Nuclearelectrica, had raised the possibility of shutting down Unit 2 due to low water levels, but the country decided against it. Unit 1 of the plant was shut down on July 28 for the same reason. Nuclearelectrica said specialists would continue monitoring operating parameters and warned that Unit 2 could need to be shut down if hydrological forecasts for Danube water levels worsen.

Perspectives

Hungarian government

Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the Paks plant could run at reduced capacity until Monday or Tuesday, suggesting a possible short-term extension. Energy Minister Istvan Kapitany has stressed that the country’s power supply system remains reliable despite the output reductions.

Romanian nuclear operator

Nuclearelectrica, the operator of the Cernavoda plant, raised the possibility of shutting down Unit 2 due to low water levels, but Romania ultimately decided against it. The company said it would keep monitoring parameters and warned that Unit 2 could still need to be shut down if hydrological forecasts deteriorate.