Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant is moving back towards normal generation after weeks of restrictions caused by exceptionally low water levels on the Danube.
Three of the plant’s four reactors were operating close to full capacity by 25 August, producing a combined 1,448 MW, while the fourth unit had restarted and was generating approximately 244 MW. Total site output had therefore recovered to around 1.69 GW, compared with nominal capacity of roughly 2 GW.
The recovery follows improving river conditions since 20 August, allowing the nuclear plant progressively to restore output after an unusually severe period of drought.
Earlier in August, low Danube levels had sharply reduced the availability of cooling water and forced three reactors offline. At the most constrained point, only one unit remained operating, and even that reactor was running at roughly half capacity.
Emergency measures were undertaken to improve cooling-water availability, including riverbed modifications, stone-filled barges and an underwater barrier designed to increase the local water level and direct more flow towards the plant’s intake.
The temporary nuclear shortfall significantly altered Hungary’s generation balance. Solar became the country’s largest domestic electricity source during some periods, accounting for more than 55% of generation, while imports increased to compensate for missing nuclear output.
With all four Paks units now operating again, the immediate supply pressure is easing. The remaining issue is the final ramp-up of the restarted unit, after which the plant is expected to return to its usual generation level.
