Hungary shuts sole nuclear plant amid heatwave
The Hungarian government has announced the closure of the country's only Paks nuclear power plant due to a record low water level in the Danube River, which led to its first shutdown in 44 years. The plant, located near Budapest, supplies about one-third of Hungary's electricity and relies on river water to cool its reactors. The plant's capacity has dwindled to 240 megawatts, and it is expected to remain closed for several weeks because of continued low water levels resulting from heatwaves and ongoing drought since May. This crisis is part of a broader energy emergency caused by climate change, with data showing that the plant's output has fallen to less than a quarter of its 2,000-megawatt capacity, placing increased strain on the country's energy supplies. The shutdown represents a real test for Hungary's economy and its prime minister, who plans to increase electricity imports to compensate for the shortfall.
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