Magyar warned Hungarians about a difficult period due to the shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant

On August 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned the country's citizens that they would face a difficult five-day period due to the intense heat and the complete shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant.

"Compatriots, we are facing the most critical five days. Tomorrow, Paks NPP will no longer produce electricity, and the hottest, 40-degree days will come. Our electric power system, our utilities and ourselves will be subjected to a huge load," Magyar said, the entry was posted on his page on the social network X (ex. Twitter).

He also called on citizens to be "even more conscious" about the use of electricity, especially during periods of heavy load. According to him, it is necessary to reduce electricity consumption from 17 to 22 hours, especially from 18 to 21 hours.

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In Hungary, on August 1, the second of the four nuclear units of the Paks nuclear power plant was shut down after the water level in the Danube continued to fall. Electricity generation at the plant, which provides 40% of the country's consumption, then fell to less than a quarter of its capacity — 2 thousand MW. Magyar later announced that the plant would operate at a capacity of 240 MW, after which its operation would be stopped completely for the first time in 44 years.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said at the same time that the country was ready to help Hungary in the event of an energy crisis. He discussed the possibility of emergency electricity supplies to Hungary with Denisa Sakova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Slovakia, as well as Branislav Strychek, Head of Slovak Power Plants.