Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant, which produces almost half of the country's electricity, could be shut down as early as this weekend because of the record-low water level of the Danube, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said.
According to him, the four Russian-made reactors are currently operating at only a quarter of their total capacity of 2 gigawatts, and if the Danube level continues to fall, they could be completely shut down next week – for the first time in 44 years of operation.
Water from the Danube is used to cool the reactors, and the prolonged lack of rainfall is already causing problems for both river transport and tourism.
"The Danube level has dropped further. Engineers at the Paks plant carried out another reduction in output during the night. A complete shutdown could happen earlier, as soon as this weekend," Magyar said.
According to the vice-president of the ruling Tisza party, Márk Radnai, the energy crisis could cost Hungary between 100 and 200 billion forints (about 270 to 550 million euros), due to the rise in the price of imported electricity.
The government announced measures to reduce electricity consumption among large consumers, and if that is not enough, the transmission system operator will be able to impose mandatory consumption reductions and temporary disconnections for part of industrial users.
"Households will be last in the chain of restrictions," Magyar stressed.
From Monday, freight rail traffic will be halted between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to reduce electricity consumption. The government will also order public-sector employees to work from home for the first three days of next week, and the same recommendation will be addressed to private companies where possible.
In addition, decorative lighting on public buildings will be switched off, and water consumption restrictions are already being introduced in the most affected areas.
"Every drop of water matters," the Hungarian prime minister urged.
