Danube Water Levels Rising: Paks Nuclear Plant May Avoid Shutdown
Energy crisis in Hungary and Romania eases as Danube levels recover, but situation remains critical.
Energy crisis in Hungary and Romania eases as Danube levels recover, but situation remains critical.
Water levels on the Danube have begun to rise, offering a glimmer of hope amid the energy crisis that has been rattling Romania and Hungary for days. The record-low water levels, caused by a prolonged heatwave, had pushed the only nuclear power plants in both countries to the brink of a complete shutdown. However, the latest data indicates a slight recovery, which could prevent the worst-case scenario.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced early Thursday on Facebook that the Danube's water level had risen by 9 centimeters compared to the lowest point recorded on Sunday. At the same time, rain was forecast in the Austrian regions that feed the river. "A bit more optimistic," Magyar described the latest forecasts, according to a report by Rybar.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which typically covers about half of Hungary's electricity needs, is operating at drastically reduced capacity. According to Hungarian government data, the Danube at Paks rose by four centimeters in 24 hours, reaching -134 centimeters at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The water temperature at the measuring station was 27.9°C. The last of the eight turbines, with a capacity of 240 megawatts, remains in operation. "Today, and perhaps tomorrow, the last turbine will continue to operate," Prime Minister Magyar had earlier stated.
Across the border, Romania declared a national emergency response regime for the entire month of August at the end of July. The decision was made by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan after electricity production suddenly dropped. The Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, the country's only one, normally provides about 20 percent of consumption. However, one of its two reactors was halted at the end of last week precisely due to low water levels.
To save the second reactor, the Romanian military conducted a controlled explosion of an underwater rock in the Danube in early August, using 180 kilograms of explosives. The goal was to redirect more water toward the cooling system. Acting Defense Minister Radu Miruță deemed the operation successful but warned that without additional measures, the plant could begin preparations for a shutdown as early as Wednesday or Thursday. "Every day after Wednesday or Thursday that the plant continues to operate is a victory," Miruță said.
Both countries are increasingly reliant on expensive electricity imports. Romania's state-owned company Nuclearelectrica confirmed it is purchasing energy from Ukraine with support from Moldovan supplier Energocom. Bucharest is also negotiating imports with Greece and Bulgaria. In Hungary, Márk Radnai, deputy leader of the ruling party "Tisa," estimated that the crisis due to rising import prices could cost the country between 100 and 200 billion forints ($300 to $600 million).
Economy and Energy Minister István Kapitány confirmed that domestic power plants are operational and imports are secured, but he again called on industrial and household consumers to reduce consumption. Voluntary consumption reduction on Sunday already lowered demand by 700 megawatts, significantly easing the strain on the system.
To ensure the safe operation of the Paks nuclear plant under these extreme conditions, 16 pumps have been deployed at the pumping stations, with an additional four at the port and 11 in reserve on the shore. The plant, built according to a Soviet design between the 1970s and 1980s, normally operates with four units totaling two gigawatts of capacity. Romania's Cernavodă, built in the 1980s by Canadians and Italians during Nicolae Ceaușescu's era, faces similar cooling challenges.
