BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary announced on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, that it will shut down its only nuclear power plant, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, due to record-low water levels in the Danube River which have reduced the water available for cooling its reactors. Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated this will be the first full shutdown in the plant's 44-year history.

The Soviet-built, four-reactor plant located south of Budapest normally produces about 2,000 megawatts, but output had fallen to 965 megawatts on Friday and dropped further to 240 overnight. The low river levels have impaired the plant's cooling pumps' ability to draw sufficient water.

The Danube River, flowing from Germany to the Black Sea, is among several European rivers experiencing significant drops in water levels due to months of heat and drought. This situation has led Hungary to impose water-use restrictions on more than 100 cities and villages.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country is closely monitoring the energy situation and is prepared to assist if needed.

Meanwhile, parts of Europe including France and Spain are facing wildfires and heatwaves that could exacerbate the current environmental challenges.

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