Rabat: Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant will be shut down on Monday for the first time in 44 years due to the declining water levels of the Danube River. This development is set to significantly impact Hungary's energy production.

According to Anadolu Agency, Magyar revealed that one of the last two generating units at the plant will cease operations at 1:30 a.m., reducing the plant's output to 240 megawatts. By tomorrow, the facility will be completely shut down. This decision is a response to the critical water level drop in the Danube, which is essential for the plant's cooling process.

Magyar had previously indicated on Thursday that the government was readying emergency measures and warned of a potential energy crisis if conditions did not improve. He emphasized the need for coordinated action and voluntary energy conservation to mitigate more severe fallout from this situation.

The Paks Nuclear Power Plant, responsible for supplying nearly half of Hungary's electricity, had already reduced its output to below 50% of its capacity. The shutdown is attributed to an extreme heat wave and prolonged drought affecting Central Europe, which have caused the Danube to reach historically low levels. This environmental challenge has also impacted river shipping and nuclear power generation in Hungary and neighboring Romania.