Because of the Danube’s exceptionally low water level, the Paks nuclear power plant could be taken completely offline on Thursday or Friday, Péter Magyar, the prime minister, said at a press conference in Budapest on Thursday. The government is also reviewing its rotational crisis plan, which could mean shutting down parts of Hungarian industry if there is not enough electricity. Romania has already shut down its nuclear plant, and it remains uncertain whether it will be able to buy power.
Too little water in the Danube — Paks must be shut down
Magyar said that, for now, the energy supply remains secure for both households and businesses, and the same is true of drinking water for 99.9 per cent of the country. He added, however, that because the Danube has fallen to a record low, reactor blocks must be taken offline continuously, in what amounts to a planned shutdown. “It appears, at present, that the complete shutdown of the Paks plant could happen as early as today, but perhaps more likely tomorrow,” he said. That would be an unprecedented measure since the start of operation in 1982.
That would mean a loss of 2,000 megawatts of capacity, a substantial share of domestic consumption, though one that could be covered by imports. Import capacity stands at 3,600 to 3,800 megawatts.
The prime minister also said that the Danube Steam Power Plant had broken down in the meantime, causing a further 400 megawatts to be lost. There is a chance it could be restarted later in the day, but if an old component does not work, production could be interrupted for weeks. In that case, further steps would certainly be required.
Earlier, it was decided to cut the output of the second block of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant by half, according to MTI.
Romania has already shut down its nuclear plant
Although Paks is still operating for the time being, Romania has already shut down its sole nuclear plant at Cernavodă. The Danube’s flow at the border point of Baziaş has fallen to 1,500 cubic metres per second. By contrast, the long-term average in July is 4,700 cubic metres per second, and in August 3,900 cubic metres per second.
Experts say that by 3 August Romania could face an energy deficit of 500 megawatts during evening peak hours, rising to more than 1,000 megawatts between 4 and 9 August, which will also have to be covered by imports. It is doubtful, however, where it will be able to buy power, as every neighbouring country is grappling with similar problems.
Hungarian industry could also be halted within days
Péter Magyar said that after his joint press conference with Bavarian premier Markus Söder, he would review the rotational crisis plan with Bálint Ruff, the minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, and István Kapitány, the minister for economy and energy. This is a possible industrial shutdown plan that would be triggered if the Hungarian grid cannot meet demand or if enough electricity cannot be fed in. They will also visit Százhalombatta, the MOL refinery, and Paks.
Water handed out at stations in heat alert
The MÁV group is preparing for the third-level heat alert by handing out water and setting up misting gates, while drinking fountains are operating at several rail and bus stations so that anyone can refill their bottle or flask, the company said on Thursday, according to MTI. Dávid Vitézy, the minister for transport and investment, also asked Magyar Közút and motorway operators on Facebook to be ready to distribute drinking water to motorists if traffic backs up.
Free bottled water is also being handed out at Budapest-Kelenföld and Budapest-Népliget coach stations, as well as at the bus stations in county seats with heavier traffic, between 10 AM and 5 PM, MTI reported.
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Third-level heat alert in force since midnight
The third-level heat alert came into force from 00:00 on Thursday and will remain in place until 24:00 on Tuesday, as ordered by the national chief medical officer. According to HungaroMet’s warning, average temperatures in Győr-Moson-Sopron, Komárom-Esztergom, Veszprém, Fejér, Bács-Kiskun and Csongrád-Csanád counties will exceed 27C on Thursday, while elsewhere — apart from Nógrád, Heves, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg counties — the average temperature is expected to be above 25C. Average temperatures above 27C are also expected in Vas, Tolna and Pest counties on Thursday, HungaroMet said.
Sustained high temperatures over several days reduce physical and mental performance, increase fatigue and the risk of accidents, and worsen the course of cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases. The most serious consequence of heat stress is heatstroke, a life-threatening condition; if someone feels unwell, they should be taken immediately to a cool place, cooling should begin at once, and an ambulance should be called if necessary, MTI reported.
Third-degree heat alert from today in Hungary – what it means
