Danube Drought Triggers Nuclear Shutdowns and River Disruptions Across Central Europe

In late July 2026 the Danube fell to unprecedented lows, prompting Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant and Romania’s Cernavoda reactors to curtail output. Hungary’s 2-GW Paks facility was operating at less than 50 % of capacity and faced a full shutdown within 24–72 hours, according to the operator. Romania’s Nuclearelectrica shut down its 706-MW Unit 1 on July 29 and announced Unit 2 would also be taken offline, leaving both reactors disconnected for the first time.

Reuters

A prolonged heatwave and drought have driven evaporation across the Danube basin, reducing precipitation by 80–130 mm in many parts of Hungary. The Budapest gauge recorded 23 cm—well below the 2018 record of 33 cm. In Romania, Danube flow dropped to 1,630 m³ s?¹, roughly one-third of a typical July average. Climate scientists cited the conditions as a “seasonal risk” made more frequent by climate change.

Many hotel boats stranded on the Danube

• Budapest water level: 23 cm (9 in).

Many hotel boats stranded on the Danube

• Danube flow at Romanian entry: 1,630 m³ s?¹.

Many hotel boats stranded on the Danube

• Paks output: 965 MW (?48 % of design capacity).

Euronews

• Cernavoda reactors: each 706 MW, together ?20 % of Romania’s generation.

Reuters

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned the loss of 2,000 MW could make the electricity market “dire” and urged curbing peak-hour consumption, announcing plans for 4 GW of wind capacity by 2030 with EU funds. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan declared a national alert for August, confirming imports from Ukraine, Greece and Bulgaria. EU Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said the Commission was monitoring the situation and could convene an ad-hoc Electricity Coordination Group meeting.

Reuters

In Novi Sad, house-boat operator Radovan Segrt observed the Danube recede 15–20 m, ending the summer boating season. In Budapest, the exposed base of Margaret Bridge revealed a World-War-II bomb, prompting temporary closure. Cargo vessels along the Hungarian stretch were forced to operate with only 10–20 % of their normal load, and several hotel boats were stranded.

Associated Press

Sources differ on Romania’s Unit 2 status: Reuters reported a shutdown on July 29, while World Nuclear News later indicated it remained online after safety analyses. Water-level figures also vary—Hungarian authorities cite 23 cm, whereas the plant operator reports a level 28 cm below the 2018 record. No public data confirm the exact timing of a full Paks shutdown beyond the 24–72-hour window.

Danube's record low leads to Hungary, Romania nuclear shutdowns

• “The summer season is over now, as far as boat rides are concerned,” — Radovan Segrt

DW News

• “It seems, as things stand, that the complete shutdown of the Paks power plant could take place as early as today, but perhaps more likely tomorrow,” — Peter Magyar

Reuters

The European Commission may convene an emergency Electricity Coordination Group meeting, while Hungary prepares a contingency list of large electricity and water consumers for possible rotational restrictions. Romania plans to import an additional 1,700 MW to cover peak demand. Forecasts suggest the Danube could fall to its all-time low of 1,400 m³ s?¹ in early August, further threatening navigation and cooling-water availability. Both governments have signaled that wind-energy projects and import capacity will be expanded to mitigate future low-water risks.

Euronews