• Hungary is shutting down its only nuclear power plant due to extreme drought conditions.
• The Paks Nuclear Power Plant supplies nearly half of Hungary's electricity.
• Record-low water levels in the Danube River have hindered cooling operations.
• The shutdown marks the first complete plant closure in its 44-year history.
• Emergency measures include urging power conservation among businesses and households.

Hungary has announced the complete shutdown of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant due to record-low water levels in the Danube River, which are preventing the facility from drawing enough water for cooling its reactors. The closure, set for Sunday, marks the first full shutdown in the plant's 44-year history, significantly impacting the nation's electricity supply, which is heavily reliant on this facility for nearly half of its power generation, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the plant's output had already dropped to about 10% of its normal capacity before the shutdown. With temperatures expected to soar around 40°C during an intense summer heatwave, the closure raises concerns about the energy supply and the stability of the national grid, according to India Times and Reuters.

The Danube's water levels at the Paks plant are expected to reach minus 144 centimeters, compared to a previous low of minus 98 centimeters recorded in 2018. This drop necessitates the shutdown under safety protocols, illustrating the challenges posed by ongoing climate change that has led to severe drought conditions across Central Europe, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

To mitigate the impact on the electricity grid, the Hungarian government is urging households and industries to conserve energy, especially during peak hours. Industries such as MOL have already committed to reducing electricity consumption significantly to help manage the situation. Furthermore, authorities are exploring emergency measures, including the potential imposition of mandatory limits on electricity consumption among large businesses, according to India Times and Reuters.