Hungary's nuclear lifeline at risk as Danube hits record low

Hungary is facing a critical period as record-low water levels in the Danube River threaten to force the country's only nuclear power plant offline for the first time in more than four decades, Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned, with another heatwave expected to intensify pressure on the national power grid, Reuters reports.

Large parts of Europe have been grappling with prolonged heat and drought, causing river levels to fall and raising concerns over water supplies, inland shipping and electricity generation.

As of 1837 GMT, Hungary's 2-gigawatt Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies around half of the country's electricity, was operating at just over 10% of its capacity after the Danube—whose waters are used to cool the facility—fell to a record low. The country's water authority projects that the river, which flows from Germany to the Black Sea, will continue to decline in the coming days.

"We are facing the most critical five days ahead," Magyar said in a video posted on Facebook. "Tomorrow, the Paks power plant will not be generating, while the hottest, 40-degree (Celsius, 104 degrees Fahrenheit) days are ahead."

"The power grid, our public services and ourselves will all come under enormous strain," he added, warning that Paks, which operates four Russian-built reactors, could remain offline for weeks.

In a subsequent video, Magyar clarified that the decision on when to suspend operations would "be made by the plant's management observing a strict security protocol."

The prime minister said voluntary electricity savings by households and more than 300 companies, introduced following a government appeal, had reduced power demand by approximately 400 megawatts, helping ease pressure on the grid.

"For the time being there is no need for mandatory restrictions in power consumption for companies," Magyar said, while cautioning that the government could impose compulsory curbs as early as Monday if conditions worsen.

Energy Minister Istvan Kapitany said companies participating in the voluntary demand reduction program include Hungarian energy group MOL, South Korean battery manufacturer Samsung SDI, German automaker Audi, the premium brand of Volkswagen, and Japanese automotive parts supplier Denso.

The prolonged drought has also disrupted river transport and tourism across Hungary while prompting water-use restrictions in more than 100 cities and villages, including communities on the outskirts of Budapest, according to government records.

Mark Radnai, vice chairman of Magyar's Tisza party, said on Facebook that the crisis could cost Hungary between 100 billion and 200 billion forints ($315 million to $630 million), largely due to soaring prices for imported electricity.

By Vafa Guliyeva