Hungary Nuclear Plant Nears Shutdown Amid Drought
Hungary's only nuclear plant is nearing a full shutdown. It cannot get enough water to cool its reactors.
The plant normally supplies electricity to half the country. By Sunday output had fallen sharply.
It dropped from 2000 MW to 965 MW. Then it fell to 240 MW overnight.
That left the plant running at just over 10% capacity. The shutdown follows record low water levels on the Danube River.
Drought and heat caused the low water levels. Romania shut down both of its nuclear reactors on July 29 for the same reason.
Low Danube water levels are now threatening nuclear power across Central and Eastern Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the country faces its most critical five days ahead.
A new heat wave is approaching. The Danube's water level at Paks was expected to hit a record low.
Hungary has placed over 100 cities and villages under water-use limits. Governments across the region are working to save electricity. The European Commission is watching the energy situation in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.
Key Terms 3
- Danube River A major river flowing through Central and Eastern Europe.
- European Commission The executive branch that manages daily business of the European Union.
- MW Megawatts, a unit used to measure electricity power output.