Today, record-breaking heat is being experienced, but the Danube water level has improved, exceeding Sunday’s low point by nearly 10 centimeters, and one block of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is operational. A positive development is that Hungary will receive the guaranteed Danube water volume guaranteed in international agreements, while Slovakia is prepared to release some additional water. Many organizations across the country are continuing to conserve energy and water due to the heat. We can continue to follow the developments.
In the second half of the Friday’s Checklist program, András Gelencsér, a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, will be interviewed about the long-term social effects of extreme weather on Hungary. The discussion emphasizes the need for changes in thinking and in daily life. The first part of the program focused on the complete shutdown of the Paks power plant, which was caused by the heat, drought, and water shortage. The question arises as to when the power supply can be resumed and what the future holds for Paks II.
Prime Minister Magyar met with Agnes Forsthofer, who is temporarily fulfilling the duties of the state chancellor, at the Sándor Palace to discuss managing the energy crisis. The Prime Minister confirmed that energy and water supplies are secure, although there are some difficulties. Backup power plants can be brought online at any time, while the shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant is expected due to the low water level in the Danube. Magyar emphasized that limiting consumer consumption is the last resort, and thanked industry and consumers for voluntarily reducing their consumption.
Due to extreme heat and drought, first-level water restrictions have been implemented in Debrecen and Pécs, while in Kaposvár, continuous water supply is ensured through the drilling of new wells and network development.
The shutdown of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant has put the country in an unprecedented situation due to the extremely low water level in the Danube. The stability of the power grid now depends on domestic reserves and imports, while MAVIR indicates a peak of 7282 megawatts. This is 200 megawatts short of the summer record, and Paks’ electricity production has dramatically decreased compared to last year. A new government regulation has also come into effect, providing a framework for reducing power generation to prevent further problems.
In Budapest, the third generation of MOL Bubi has launched, which was announced at the City Hall. The new application is already available, and the fleet includes electric-assisted bicycles. The entire vehicle park is not yet in operation, but the capital city is creating new collection stations and promises to expand coverage, using a 20 million forint development budget.
On Sunday, heat will continue to intensify in Hungary, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. The water level in the Danube in Paks has dropped by more than 133 centimeters, causing the 4th block’s turbine generator to be shut down. Currently, only the 2nd block is operating, with 50 percent capacity. The country is on the verge of a complete shutdown of the Paks plant, while electricity demand and water shortages are likely to continue to increase in the coming days. The article is continuously updated with the latest developments in the heat crisis and energy supply.
According to Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy István Kapitány, the electricity consumption on Sunday evening was 700 megawatts lower than planned, which is equivalent to the output of more than one complete Paks power plant.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant is facing shutdown due to the receding water level of the Danube, and the last operational unit was shut down on Sunday morning. Currently, only the 2nd block is operating, with a capacity of 233 megawatts. According to Magyar Péter, this is the first time the power plant has been completely shut down after 44 years of operation. The government is trying to stabilize the power supply by implementing emergency energy conservation measures and mobilizing additional production capacity.
Due to news about drinking water supply problems, several rural towns, as well as Budapest and its surroundings, have started purchasing bottled water. However, according to the representatives of commercial workers, there is a continuous supply, so there is no need to stockpile.
The National Payment Agency, which belongs to the Hungarian State Treasury, was the target of a cyberattack. According to current information, the attack originated from servers in Russia. Customer data is not at risk, but some employees’ computers had their files encrypted, so some electronic services are temporarily only partially available.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant may shut down completely by Monday, as the water level in the Danube is only one centimeter below the safe operating limit. According to Magyar Péter, there is currently no need to order mandatory consumption reductions for companies, as more than 300 companies have voluntarily reduced their electricity consumption.
The FŐKERT, a Hungarian government agency, is developing a climate change scenario due to the extraordinary water restrictions, according to Dezsényi Péter, the director of FŐKERT. The expert warns that complete cessation of watering could cause irreversible damage to Budapest’s green areas, estimated at nearly 400 billion forints, and therefore, they have determined which plants to prioritize for preservation given the limited water supply.
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