Record-low water levels in the Danube River are threatening the cooling water supply for Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant [1, 2, 3].
Because the Paks plant supplies almost 50% of Hungary's electricity [2], any disruption to its operations could lead to significant power shortages across the country. The facility relies on the river to regulate the temperature of its reactors, making it vulnerable to prolonged droughts.
An extreme heatwave and prolonged drought have driven the river to levels not seen in recorded history [3, 4]. Temperatures in Hungary, Romania, and the Balkans have reached near 40°C [1], further stressing the region's water resources.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that if the Danube falls further, the government will have to consider a temporary shutdown of Paks [1]. While some reports indicate the plant has already been forced to reduce output, other sources suggest a full shutdown remains a looming risk if the trend continues [2, 3].
The crisis is not limited to Hungary. The low water levels are affecting Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and the broader Balkans [3, 5]. This regional drought has created a precarious situation for energy infrastructure that depends on river-based cooling systems.
Environmental analysts said that the Danube has receded to levels not seen in recorded history [3]. The heatwave is forecast to continue for the coming days, leaving plant operators to monitor water intake levels closely to avoid a critical failure [1, 4].
Hungary's Energy Minister said the Paks plant is essential to the national grid [2]. The potential for a total shutdown would force the country to rely on more expensive or less stable energy imports during a period of peak summer demand.
“"If the Danube falls further, we will have to consider a temporary shutdown of Paks."”
This situation highlights the vulnerability of nuclear energy infrastructure to climate-driven extreme weather. When primary cooling sources like the Danube reach record lows, nations face a direct conflict between environmental safety and energy security. A shutdown of Paks would not only destabilize Hungary's grid but could ripple through the Balkan energy market, increasing reliance on fossil fuels during a heatwave.
