Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant Faces Full Shutdown Due to Record Low Danube Water Level

Affected by persistent drought and high temperatures, the water level of the Danube River at the Budapest section dropped to 23 cm (fixed datum reading, a record low), restricting cooling water intake at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. Starting Wednesday, July 29, Unit 3 was the first to be shut down; the operator, MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd, subsequently stated on its official website that all four units would inevitably be disconnected within the next 24 to 72 hours, with power generation coming to a complete halt. MVM explained that the existing water volume of the Danube is still sufficient to cool the reactors, but the intake pumps can no longer draw water because the riverbed is exposed and the pump inlets are too far from the water surface—an equipment failure rather than an absolute shortfall in cooling water volume. To this end, the Hungarian side deployed 4 pumping barges and 2 floating cranes near the plant as an emergency measure, but with water levels expected to continue falling, a preventive full shutdown remains unavoidable.

2026-07-31

Vietnam-Hungary Industrial Education Cooperation Seminar Held, Vietnam Plans to Send Students to Study Nuclear Energy Technology in Hungary

On July 29, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade held a seminar with the Hungarian Rectors' Conference and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), focusing on promoting educational cooperation in the industrial sector, particularly in Hungary's advantageous disciplines such as mechanical engineering, semiconductors, nuclear energy, and information technology. Dr. Nguyen Van Thien, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry, proposed that BME provide short-term or long-term training courses for lecturers from his university. Associate Professor Nguyen Xuan Hoan, President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, expressed hope to send 3 to 5 graduate students to study at BME this year or next year through government scholarships, with the expectation that they would return to work in Vietnam after graduation. The Vietnamese delegation also stated that, in preparation for the upcoming nuclear power project, it hopes to send students to Hungary to study nuclear energy technology starting this year.

2026-07-30

Hungary replaces head of Paks II nuclear power project company.

István Kapitány, Hungary’s Minister of Economy and Energy, announced on July 24 the dismissal of Gergely Jákli as CEO of Paks II Nuclear Power Plant Ltd. (Paks II Atomeromu Zrt). The company is responsible for ad

2026-07-27