Hungary braced for power cuts amid extreme drought

Posted: 4th August 2026

Hungary braced for power cuts amid extreme drought. Record-low water levels on Danube force country’s first shutdown of nuclear power plant.
Hungary is preparing for electricity rationing as record-low water levels on the Danube river force the country’s only nuclear power plant to shut down completely. The 2 gigawatt Paks plant, which provides up to 40 per cent of the country’s electricity, relies on the Danube for cooling and has no backup water supply. “We are facing the five most critical days,” Prime Minister Péter Magyar said in a video message on Sunday.
“From tomorrow, the Paks nuclear power plant will stop generating electricity, just as the hottest days, with temperatures reaching 40C, arrive. Our electricity system, our public utilities and all of us will come under enormous strain.”

FT 2nd Aug 2026

https://www.ft.com/content/a4539dc2-dcb0-4b57-9a78-c32cb1f9eda1

Telegraph 2nd Aug 2026

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/02/hungary-braced-for-power-cuts-as-drought-shuts-nuclear-plan/

Record-low water levels on the Danube forced the Paks plant offline, leaving Hungary facing a potential power crunch. In neighboring Serbia, energy production at two hydroelectric plants has also been reduced.

Deutsche Welle 2nd Aug 2026

https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-to-shut-sole-nuclear-plant-for-first-time-on-sunday/a-78205668

Politico 2nd Aug 2026

https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-shuts-down-paks-nuclear-plant-danube-drought-intensifies-energy-crisis/