Hungary Stops Nuclear Plant For First Time As Danube River Dries Up

By Zoltan Simon

Aug 2, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Hungary is fully shutting down its sole nuclear power plant for the first time due to the record low levels of the Danube River, straining energy supplies and posing a major test for the economy and new Prime Minister Peter Magyar.

One of the two reactors still operating at the Paks plant was shut down early Sunday, with the final one powering down later in the day, according to Magyar. He cited the progressively lower water levels, which are causing a shortage of water for cooling at the facility, which is operating at a