In a video message posted on Facebook, the prime minister said that starting Monday, the Paks plant will produce no electricity at all, while the country was facing the hottest days, with temperatures reaching 40C.

As a result, the electricity system, public services and the population will face enormous strain, he warned.

Magyar urged everyone to pay even closer attention to vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, the sick, and those living alone, from Monday.

He also called for even more conscious electricity conservation between 5pm and 10pm, particularly between 6pm and 9pm, asking businesses, institutions, local councils and individuals to significantly reduce or postpone their power consumption during this window.

The Paks nuclear power plant normally supplies around half of Hungary's electricity, making the current shutdown unprecedented in the plant's more than four decades of operation. 

As reported earlier, the outage has been forced by exceptionally low Danube water levels, which have reduced the cooling water available for the reactors.

The government has warned that if voluntary electricity savings prove insufficient, further emergency measures affecting major industrial consumers may be introduced. 

Officials have urged households and businesses to minimise electricity use during the evening peak period, when demand is highest and solar generation drops sharply.

In a video message on Sunday, the prime minister explained that the task force will assess the latest data on consumption, production, imports and water levels before deciding on the need for restrictions.

Magyar noted that the government decree enabling mandatory consumption cuts came into force on Saturday and will be applied if necessary.

The safety of the Paks nuclear power plant is fully guaranteed during its complete shutdown, the PM also said on Facebook on Sunday.

Around 50 water management experts will work alongside the plant's staff to maintain the strict safety protocols, ensuring a continuous supply of 100 cubic metres of cooling water per minute until the Danube's water levels rise and power generation can resume, he said.

The Paks nuclear power plant normally supplies around half of Hungary's electricity, making the current shutdown unprecedented in the plant's more than four decades of operation. 

As reported earlier, the outage has been forced by exceptionally low Danube water levels, which have reduced the cooling water available for the reactors.

The government has warned that if voluntary electricity savings prove insufficient, further emergency measures affecting major industrial consumers may be introduced. 

Officials have urged households and businesses to minimise electricity use during the evening peak period, when demand is highest and solar generation drops sharply.

In a video message on Sunday, the prime minister explained that the task force will assess the latest data on consumption, production, imports and water levels before deciding on the need for restrictions.

Magyar noted that the government decree enabling mandatory consumption cuts came into force on Saturday and will be applied if necessary.

The safety of the Paks nuclear power plant is fully guaranteed during its complete shutdown, the PM also said on Facebook on Sunday.

Around 50 water management experts will work alongside the plant's staff to maintain the strict safety protocols, ensuring a continuous supply of 100 cubic metres of cooling water per minute until the Danube's water levels rise and power generation can resume, he said.

MTI Stock Photo

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

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