Unprecedented work is underway at a rapid pace at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant due to the persistently low water level of the Danube River. According to a recent announcement by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the positioning and securing of the first barge is already in progress while preparations for building a permanent riverbed sill have also accelerated.
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Magyar provided the latest update on the Paks site. He reported that the first barge was being positioned and secured and the second barge would shortly arrive at the location. On the right bank of the Danube, the ground has already been prepared, access roads built and work has begun on laying stones according to plans drawn up by engineers.
Meanwhile, on the left bank, Hungarian Defence Forces personnel are working on creating an assembly area and storage depots. The Prime Minister wrote that construction of the hydraulic structure began on that side as well that same day. According to plans, 35,000 tonnes of stones will be placed initially followed by an additional 110,000 tonnes. The work is being coordinated in a unified manner by water management and energy specialists along with the Defence Forces under the coordination of the Defence Administration Office.
According to Magyar’s report, two of the Paks plant’s turbines are currently operating safely. The goal of the current intervention is to ensure the sustainable water supply necessary for the plant’s operation despite the low Danube water levels.
The government had previously decided on a temporary solution involving the possible sinking of two barges each about 80 meters long. By positioning them across the river and sinking them if necessary they could temporarily help maintain the required water level. The permanent solution would be the construction of a riverbed sill in the Danube.
During an earlier site visit, Prime Minister Magyar explained that by using the barges they are trying to prevent having to shut down even one of the plant’s two currently operating turbines. The Prime Minister stressed then that the most important consideration is maintaining nuclear safety.
The urgency of the work at Paks increased because the significant drop in the Danube’s water level has also affected the operation of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant in Romania. There water shortages necessitated the shutdown of one reactor and then the other.
According to Prime Minister Magyar’s communication, details of the Paks situation will be presented at a press conference at 3 PM together with specialists. According to the Prime Minister, details of the construction the likes of which haven’t been seen in three decades will also be explained there.
- Positioning of the first barge
- Securing the second barge
- Construction of hydraulic structures
- Placement of initial stones
- Coordination of various specialists
- Maintenance of operational turbines
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| First Barge | Being positioned and secured |
| Second Barge | Shortly arriving at the location |
| Initial Stones | 35,000 tonnes to be placed |
| Additional Stones | 110,000 tonnes to be added |
| Turbines | Two currently operating |
| Press Conference | Scheduled for 3 PM |
