The Danube River’s low water levels have prompted urgent measures in Hungary. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced steps to raise the river’s level to ensure the continued operation of Hungary’s only nuclear power plant.
Persistent drought and heat waves have significantly reduced the Danube’s water flow. These conditions have brought the river to record lows, putting the Paks Nuclear Power Plant at risk of shutdown for the first time in its 44-year history.
The Paks plant, built during the Soviet era, relies on the Danube’s water to cool its four reactors. Currently, the plant operates at little over 10% of its 2,000 megawatt capacity, providing around a third of Hungary’s electricity.
Magyar outlined plans in a Facebook video for constructing a bed sill. This low concrete or stone structure, built into the riverbed, will slow the current and raise upstream water levels. The project involves the delivery of 145,000 cubic meters of rocks. The construction is expected to increase the Danube’s level by up to one meter (3 feet).
Additionally, two 80-meter (262-foot) barges will be transported to the site. They may be sunk to elevate the Danube by another 20 centimeters (8 inches) at the plant’s cooling pumps. A decision on this measure will be made soon.
Magyar stressed the urgency of the situation, noting possible plant shutdown without prompt action. The bed sill aims to offer a stable, long-term solution to prevent future water shortages at Paks.
Magyar pointed out that this situation is not isolated, citing recent interventions in Romania, where authorities sunk barges in the Danube to aid the Cernavoda nuclear plant facing similar challenges.
The current limited output of the Paks plant results in economic losses of up to 50 billion forints ($158 million) monthly. Conversely, the proposed Danube interventions are estimated to cost around 6 billion forints ($19 million).