Hungary to Sink Barges in Danube to Keep Paks Nuclear Plant Cooled
Hungary will sink two barges in the Danube to raise water levels and maintain cooling at the Paks nuclear plant, which is running at reduced capacity.
Hungarian authorities are preparing to sink two barges in the Danube river near the Paks nuclear power plant, a move aimed at boosting water levels to ensure the facility's cooling systems continue to function.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Friday that the operation was expected to begin later in the day. The measure comes in response to a historic drought that has driven the Danube to record-low levels, severely limiting the water available for the plant's cooling needs.
As a result of the low water, the Paks plant is currently operating at only about 25 percent of its normal capacity. The Danube serves as the primary coolant source for the facility, and the reduced flow has made it difficult to maintain standard operations.
The sinking of the barges is intended to create a localised rise in the river's level, helping to sustain the intake of cooling water. The move underscores the broader challenges posed by extreme weather conditions to critical infrastructure in the region.