Hungary has decided to keep the last operational turbine at the Paks nuclear power plant running, a move designed to prevent a complete collapse of the national electricity grid.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the decision on Monday, stating that the 240-megawatt unit could remain in service through Tuesday, providing a critical buffer against rising demand during a period of extreme heat.
The decision marks a significant shift from the full suspension of operations announced just days earlier.
The Paks facility, Hungary’s only nuclear power source, was shut down due to critically low water levels in the Danube River, which are essential for cooling the reactors.
The outage, the first in the plant’s 44-year history, had raised fears of widespread blackouts as the country grapples with a severe drought and record-breaking temperatures.
By keeping one turbine online, the government aims to stabilize the grid while managing the risk of overheating.