Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Power Plant has started restoring electricity production after a period of reduced output caused by high Danube water temperatures during last week’s heatwave. The return to higher generation levels follows improved cooling conditions, allowing the facility to increase production while remaining within environmental operating limits.
During the extreme heat, Paks gradually reduced its output in coordination with Hungary’s electricity transmission system operator MAVIR to comply with regulations governing the temperature of cooling water discharged into the Danube. The nuclear plant, with an installed capacity of 2,000 MW, relies on river water to cool its reactors before returning the water downstream.
Hungarian regulations require discharged cooling water to remain below 30°C within 500 metres of the outlet point. Under exceptional circumstances, the limit may be temporarily increased to 31.5°C if the energy minister determines that such a measure is necessary to protect security of electricity supply.
The Hungarian government said earlier that the electricity system remained stable throughout the heatwave, while continuous monitoring showed no indication that higher river temperatures had created a threat to the Danube ecosystem. The temporary production reduction at Paks was therefore managed as a precautionary operational measure rather than a wider system-security issue.
With temperatures now declining, the nuclear facility has begun gradually increasing generation levels. Weather forecasts indicate more moderate conditions in the coming days, with daytime temperatures expected around 30°C, alongside periods of rain and thunderstorms that should further improve cooling conditions.
The restoration of Paks output will provide additional stability to Hungary’s electricity system, reducing pressure on imports and strengthening supply availability as regional power markets continue to face volatility during periods of high demand and weather-related constraints.
