Hungary is preparing for a critical period in its energy system after Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is expected to be shut down from Monday due to the Danube’s exceptionally low water level. Speaking alongside MOL Chairman and CEO Zsolt Hernádi on Friday, the prime minister urged households and businesses to reduce electricity consumption as the country prepares for the unprecedented disruption.
Paks shutdown expected as Danube reaches critical levels
At an extraordinary press briefing held at MOL’s Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, Magyar said the situation is likely to become critical from Monday.
The prime minister warned that another reduction in output at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is expected before the facility is completely taken offline. If this happens, it will mark the first full shutdown in the plant’s 44-year history caused by extremely low water levels in the Danube.
Magyar stressed that the decision is based solely on safety considerations and urged former Fidesz politicians to stop spreading what he described as misinformation suggesting the shutdown is unnecessary.
“Experts are not making these decisions lightly,” he said.
According to the prime minister, a full shutdown of Paks would result in an estimated HUF 50 billion loss per month for the Hungarian economy.
Government urges households and businesses to save electricity
Magyar highlighted that electricity demand peaks each day between 5 PM and 10 PM, calling on the public to reduce consumption during those hours whenever possible.
He also appealed to Hungary’s largest industrial energy users to cut their electricity use in preparation for Monday’s expected supply pressures.
The prime minister announced that MOL itself will reduce its energy consumption by 40%, adding that the government will provide the company with additional assistance to ensure the continued operation of critical fuel infrastructure.
Magyar: The ships and barges are stuck
“The ships are stuck—not just the tourist boats; even the barges can’t come in, and we can’t cool Paks,” Magyar listed some pressing problems. However, he said that in other European countries, it is possible to navigate the Danube. According to the prime minister, experts need to be brought in because the problem isn’t going to go away: it needs to be solved.
MOL: Hungary has sufficient fuel supplies
Speaking alongside the prime minister, Zsolt Hernádi, Chairman and CEO of MOL, sought to reassure the public that Hungary has adequate fuel reserves.
“There is enough fuel in Hungary,” he said, while acknowledging that the exceptionally low level of the Danube has created operational challenges for the country’s largest refinery.
Hernádi revealed that MOL had requested government assistance because of the critically low river level affecting logistics and refinery operations.
He also said the company is continuing preparations to reduce its dependence on Russian crude oil ahead of legislative changes due to take effect next year. However, he noted that uncertainty remains over the future capacity of the Adriatic Pipeline, making close cooperation with the government essential.
Asked about fuel prices, Hernádi declined to comment, saying any statement could influence the market. Magyar jokingly interrupted by saying, “I’ll talk about it,” prompting laughter as Hernádi replied that he could not stop the prime minister from doing so.
Danube power station returns to full capacity
Magyar also announced that the Dunamenti Power Plant is expected to return to full capacity on Saturday after the arrival of a replacement component, providing additional support to Hungary’s electricity system ahead of the expected Paks shutdown.
Government monitors water infrastructure
Beyond the energy sector, the prime minister warned that Hungary’s ageing water infrastructure is under increasing strain because of the prolonged heatwave and drought.
He said burst water mains are likely in the coming days, arguing that decades of underinvestment by previous governments have left the network vulnerable during periods of extreme demand.
Magyar added that the heads of Hungary’s critical infrastructure operators had been summoned for an emergency meeting later on Friday.
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Hungary seeks regional cooperation over the Danube
The government is also looking beyond Hungary’s borders in response to the worsening drought.
Magyar said he had instructed Foreign Minister Anita Orbán to contact her counterparts in neighbouring countries to explore possible regional cooperation aimed at addressing the Danube’s rapidly falling water level.
While he did not outline specific measures, the move reflects growing concern over the impact of the prolonged drought on energy production, water supplies and transport across Central Europe.
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