Paks II nuclear expansion project has entered a new phase after Rosatom formally ended its partnership with Siemens Energy, closing a cooperation that had been under pressure for years. The break follows prolonged problems in securing German export permits for key control systems intended for the two new reactors. What was once a flagship collaboration gradually turned into a case shaped by political tension and regulatory barriers.
Framatome and Siemens Energy had originally been chosen to supply the instrumentation and control technology, but authorities in Germany refused the required approvals, pointing to security concerns related to the war in Ukraine. Industry sources say Siemens Energy’s exit was not voluntary, but driven by binding government restrictions that left the company caught between contractual duties and state policy.
Last year, Hungary tried to break the deadlock by proposing to move Siemens Energy’s nuclear control unit to Hungary, allowing local authorities to supervise approvals and potentially sidestep German controls. The contract’s termination now indicates that this workaround either failed to materialize or proved legally impractical within the required timeframe.
Rosatom has minimized the significance of Siemens Energy’s departure, arguing that the affected components accounted for under 4% of total equipment value and were not mission-critical. The contractor signaled it can turn to alternative suppliers or in-house solutions. Construction has nonetheless progressed, with first concrete poured for the two 1,200 MW units under the 2014 Hungary–Russia agreement. The new reactors are expected online around 2031–2032, though it remains uncertain whether replacing the control system supplier could influence that schedule.
