Hungary reviews Paks II as cooling design draws scrutiny

The Hungarian government has launched a wide-ranging review of the Paks II nuclear expansion project, reopening questions about whether the work complies with contract terms and whether major technical decisions still make sense. Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the process was prompted by concerns tied to compliance and engineering standards, with particular attention on the plant’s cooling configuration.

Magyar said current plans do not include a closed-circuit cooling system, calling that approach outdated for modern nuclear facilities. Officials said the review will evaluate both the technical specifications and the financing structure of Paks II, including whether the Russian state contractor has met obligations set out in the contract.

Paks II review centers on cooling and contract Paks II review centers on cooling and contract obligations Officials said the inquiry is intended to determine Officials said the inquiry is intended to determine whether the project, as designed and delivered so far, aligns with Hungary’s standards and contractual expectations. The government’s focus on cooling design comes as attention has shifted to how nuclear generation that relies heavily on river water performs under extreme environmental conditions. Officials said they are weighing questions over design standards against practical operational risks that can emerge when water levels fall sharply. The review is also examining whether the project’s financing arrangements remain consistent with the agreed structure. Danube levels cut output at the existing Paks plant The decision to reassess Paks II follows disruptions at Hungary’s existing Paks nuclear plant, where record-low Danube water levels constrained operations. According to the information provided, the reduced availability of cooling water lowered electricity output to about 10 percent of capacity. Officials also pointed to pressures elsewhere in the Officials also pointed to pressures elsewhere in the region, saying environmental limits have forced reactor shutdowns in neighboring Romania. The developments, officials said, underline how energy infrastructure that depends on river water can be exposed during periods of unusually low river levels.

Construction continues as the timeline slips

Official project data says construction is underway on two new reactors under Paks II. The same data indicates the schedule has moved well beyond the project’s original projections. As part of the review As part of the review, Hungary is assessing whether the extended timeline, financing arrangements, and technical choices remain aligned with contractual requirements. Officials have not said when the assessment will end, and they have not specified what changes—if any—could follow from its findings.

Shift from an expansion-first stance

Officials framed the re-examination as a change from the earlier administrative approach, which had continued to prioritize expansion even amid international sanctions and wider geopolitical tensions. The outcome remains uncertain while the government assesses technical viability, financing, and contractual performance as construction proceeds and the existing plant faces heightened sensitivity to environmental conditions.