The Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary faced the risk of being completely shut down again last night.
However, the water level of the Danube in the plant’s area subsequently increased, avoiding this scenario, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Tuesday.
"Around two-thirty in the morning, we were just a few millimeters away from a complete shutdown of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, but by morning, the water level had risen by 1.5 centimeters. Currently, the last turbine is operating safely. I'm heading to Paks!" Peter Magyar wrote on Facebook.
Later, he specified that it was the toughest and most critical night.
"We got through the toughest and most critical night so far. Thank you all! We will succeed together," stated the Hungarian Prime Minister.
On Sunday, Hungary completely shut down the Paks nuclear power plant for the first time in its 44 years of operation after the Danube level dropped to record low values. The plant usually provides over 40% of the country's electricity production.
"Due to a further drop in the Danube level, the penultimate production group of the Paks nuclear power plant will be shut down at 01:30. The plant's production will thus decrease to only 240 MW, and on Sunday, it will be completely shut down for the first time in 44 years," announced Prime Minister Péter Magyar on his X account.
On Monday, the plant was restarted.
The Paks plant, located about 100 kilometers south of Budapest, has four reactors built with Soviet technology and uses the Danube water for cooling.
Prolonged drought and successive heatwaves have brought the Danube to historically low levels in several areas.
The government has asked major consumers to voluntarily reduce their consumption, and the population has been urged to save electricity especially between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM.