Energy situation in Hungary stable for now, Magyar says

“The last turbine of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant still in operation is generating power at a stable rate, and the Danube Power Plant in Százhalombatta is also functioning, so the energy situation of the country is stable,” Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced in his live address on Tuesday afternoon.

The PM checked in live from the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, where he had travelled with several members of the government. Magyar noted that turbine No. 4 of unit 2 is just one of the eight turbines at the power plant, and it has never happened before that only one turbine was running.

He had also made an announcement in the morning, saying that

“we have made it through the most difficult and most critical night”.

According to the nuclear power plant’s management, at half past one in the morning, the water level was just a few millimeters away from the point at which the full shutdown procedure would have to be initiated, “but then, the thing that the whole country had been awaiting for days finally happened,” the PM said. At first, water levels began to rise on the main branch of the Danube near Paks, and the same thing soon happened in the power plant’s cold-water channel as well.

By morning, the water had risen by 2 centimeters, which had gone up to 3 centimeters by the afternoon, according to Magyar. This means that for the time being, the nuclear power plant can continue to operate. Some rain is expected on Thursday, but the water level will likely stagnate until then, he said. The PM also added that at this point, it is not just the water level that could cause problems, as the quality of the water has also deteriorated, which could lower the efficiency of the pumps.

The PM spoke about the fantastic display of national unity in recent days. “I keep thinking of the thousands of professionals in the water and energy sectors, law enforcement, healthcare, social services, and transportation who, in the intense heat and under extreme conditions, have continued serving their country and their fellow citizens practically without sleep.” Magyar also thanked the public for reducing their water and electricity consumption.

He also announced that the Defense Task Force will meet again this afternoon in Budapest, and if necessary, they will take further decisions.