Peter Magyar said the Danube's water levels were expected to continue dropping in the coming weeks, making a restart of the plant unlikely in the short term.

He sought to reassure everyone that, although such a shutdown had never happened before, it did not pose any danger, and every step was being taken in strict compliance with the most stringent safety regulations.

While the national energy supply is currently secure, the unprecedented situation in the coming days would require unprecedented solutions, he warned.

The government is preparing a multi-layered safety plan for the coming days. First, it will mobilise available domestic power plant reserves and secure the necessary electricity imports, he added.

The prime minister repeated his appeal to the public, urging those who can to postpone energy-intensive activities - especially electric vehicle charging and air conditioning use - outside the peak evening hours of 5pm to 10pm.

"Given the gravity of this unprecedented situation, we ask everyone -- both major consumers and the public -- to act responsibly. It is in all our interests to avoid unplanned outages and an unexpected but previously experienced system collapse in western Europe and the Balkans."

He added that the system operator's task was to maintain the balance between electricity production and consumption at all times, while the government's role - working with the Defence Management Office, Paks Nuclear Power Plant, network manager MAVIR, and energy company MVM -- was to coordinate the activities of state bodies, energy companies, wholesalers, and major consumers, and to keep the Hungarian people informed in a timely manner.

Earlier, Magyar said output of the plant had been gradually reduced since Monday as water levels reached record lows.

Capacity of the plant stands around 2,000 MW and accounts for about half of the electricity generated in Hungary. Magyar noted that Hungary's electricity import capacity is around 3,600-3,800 MW.

He said a malfunction at the gas-fired Dunamenti Power Plant meant a further 400 MW decline in domestic electricity generation. The plant could be restarted on Thursday, if an old part is suitable for repairs. If not, the work could take 1-2 weeks, he added.

Magyar said a "rotational crisis plan" for possible rolling industrial blackouts would be discussed at transmission system operator MAVIR's headquarters later on Thursday.

He added that Hungarian oil and gas company MOL's refinery south of the capital was still operating at capacity of a little more than 50 percent, with full capacity set to be reached some time in September.

Heatwave - Kapitany: Paks nuclear plant shutdown 'not an emergency'

The shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant is "not an emergency", Istvan Kapitany, the economy and energy affairs minister, said after visiting the plant with Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Thursday, adding that every step taken by the government was being carried out in accordance with the strictest safety regulations and pre-established protocols.
 

Kapitany said that in addition to the steps taken by the government, the situation required unity from the public.

Those who can should postpone energy-intensive activities -- especially electric vehicle charging and air conditioning use -- outside the peak evening hours of 5pm to 10pm, he added.

"We must also speak honestly about how we got here, because from a professional standpoint, this is the most outrageous part," the minister said, referring to the fact that the Danube's declining water levels have been a known issue for years.

Kapitany said a 10 billion forint (EUR 27.6m) investment in a new pumping station at the power plant could have prevented a shutdown and the additional 10 billion forint cost of electricity imports.

 "The previous government failed to build it, while [state-owned energy company] MVM spent tens of billions on advertising, sponsorships and sports clubs under political directives," he said, adding that this would also be investigated.

"What lies ahead requires discipline, precise planning and cooperation from all of us," the minister said. "Over the past decades, I have learned that calm, methodical work helps us overcome even the greatest challenges. And Hungarians always come together in difficult times. It will be no different this time."

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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