Hungary has announced further emergency energy-saving measures after Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant may have to shut down completely as early as this weekend due to the exceptionally low level of the River Danube.

In a video statement released on Saturday morning following an overnight meeting of the government’s emergency task force, Magyar said the country was facing an extraordinary situation requiring immediate action.

Paks output falls to just 480 MW

According to the prime minister, Paks’ output has already been reduced dramatically. “During the night and early morning we had to reduce the plant’s capacity once again. It is currently producing only 480 megawatts, compared with its normal 2,000 megawatts,” Magyar said.

He added that the national electricity transmission system operator MAVIR has activated its emergency protocol for major disturbances to the electricity grid.

The government now expects the plant could be shut down completely earlier than previously forecast, possibly during the weekend rather than early next week. Meanwhile, auxiliary power stations remain on standby, and the repaired unit at the Dunamenti Power Plant is expected to return to service on Sunday, helping offset part of the lost generation capacity.

Large industrial consumers face mandatory power cuts

The government has also adopted a new emergency decree changing how electricity restrictions would be implemented if supply shortages worsen.

Until now, large industrial users have voluntarily reduced consumption, collectively cutting demand by around 240 MW. However, the government believes that will no longer be sufficient if Paks loses additional generating capacity. Under the new rules:

  • major electricity users will first be asked to reduce consumption voluntarily;
  • companies failing to meet their commitments may face sanctions;
  • after prior warning, MAVIR will be able to order mandatory consumption reductions;
  • certain large consumers may be temporarily disconnected from the grid if necessary.

Magyar stressed that households would remain the last group to face any potential electricity restrictions. He also announced a temporary expansion of grid access for household solar panel systems, allowing more residential producers to feed electricity back into the national grid to reduce reliance on expensive imports.

Rail freight halted during evening peak

The government also approved several additional emergency measures. From Monday, rail freight services will be suspended between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, when electricity demand is highest.

Home working will be introduced across the public administration during the first three days of next week wherever operationally possible, while private employers are being encouraged to adopt similar arrangements to reduce office energy consumption.

The decorative lighting of all state-owned buildings will also be switched off.

Water restrictions tightened

The government has also ordered stricter water-saving measures as the drought continues. Water authorities have been instructed to introduce the highest level of water restrictions wherever necessary. The measures include a ban on watering sports grounds and filling swimming pools, while residents are also being urged to avoid unnecessary water use.

Government blames previous administration

Magyar again criticised the previous government, arguing that the risks posed by extremely low Danube water levels had been known since the record drought of 2018. He said critical upgrades to Paks’ pumping systems had been delayed for years, while water infrastructure had also been neglected, leaving the country more vulnerable to the current crisis.

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