Danube drought forces nuclear power curtailments in Romania and Hungary

Record-low Danube flows forced Romania to shut down the second reactor at its only nuclear plant — supplying about a fifth of national electricity — on 13 August 2026. The plant's director does not foresee a restart within 10 days. Hungary's Paks nuclear plant was running at 25% of usual output, up from 10% earlier in August. Both plants rely on the Danube for cooling water.